As you know, the Supreme Executive Committee has been promoting Spy Wednesday as the day for the final battle for the Golden Halo. Several of you have asked us about the name Spy Wednesday. Ever willing to educate and inspire, we are only too happy to oblige.
Spy Wednesday gets its name because this is the day on which Judas betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin. Because Judas is thought to be sneaky, his actions conjured up the image of a spy. This is how the Gospel of Luke recounts the events (note: this should in no way be considered an endorsement of Luke in Lent Madness):
Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve; he went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers of the temple police about how he might betray him to them. They were greatly pleased and agreed to give him money. So he consented and began to look for an opportunity to betray him to them when no crowd was present. (Luke 22:3-6)
The illustration above evocatively depicts this infamous scene. If you go to Holy Eucharist every day of Holy Week, the Gospel readings provide the narrative of Jesus’ final days, an ever-quickening story that spins out of control and finally brings us to Good Friday.
It is surely a strange juxtaposition to think about Spy Wednesday and Lent Madness in the same moment. But thewhole point of Lent Madness is to engage us all in an exploration of the ways God’s grace has filled the lives of women and men through history and across all cultures. Sure, we’ve been silly and even competitive about our Lenten exercise. In the end though, we are learning to see in fresh ways how Jesus Christ matters to all humanity. That seems like a good and holy thing to do on Spy Wednesday.
Dear SEC, you get the customer service award of the year! A question is asked and BOOM there you are with the answer. Bravo.
Also, v nice.spyvspy picture
I spy with my heart’s eye.
Thanks for the clarification. Here I was giving the SEC all the credit for coming up with a catchy, if somewhat strange, title for the day.
Tomorrow at 6pm, we will observe Tenebrae, the service I consider a pivotal one as events begin to shift and move while the disciples seem unaware of the machinations of one of their number. Each year, I think, “Well, here we go again.” and it never ceases to amaze me by the wrench in my whole being as the foot washing on Maundy Thursday after renewal of our ordination vows earlier signals the events spinning totally out of control. Every year…every year. I guess if I ever do become complacent, I’d better get to a mirror and make sure I’m still on this side of the dirt! Spy Wednesday is quite appropriately named.
I remember not only “Spy vs. Spy,” but “Spy vs. Spy vs. Spy,” when the woman in grey would come in and blow things sky high for the men in black and white. Thanks for the memories, and for the instruction and levity that Lent Madness brings to the season every year. All best and God bless.
Thank you Tim and Scott for Lent Madness! I will miss you!
I learn something new through LM every day of Lent , excluding withdrawal days of course. Who knew it was Spy Wednesday?
Thank you again this year to the ExecutiveCommitte for their thoughtiness.
Love Spy Wednesday! Haven’t heard that in forever! And Spy v. Spy. Question: Which one is Scott and which one is Tim? Good Cop, Bad Cop perhaps?? I will miss Lent Madness. God’s blessings to you all!!!!!
Thanks for solving the puzzle which had been nagging at me.
I loved Lent Madness even more this year than last. Maybe by next year the Supreme Exec Cmte can come up with a advance packet for us to get our parishes fired up. I live in God’s waiting room (AKA Florida) and it might be a very fun thing for the Lenten Studies where are boning up for our FINALs