As the Lent Madness faithful are fully aware, voting for the Golden Halo takes place on the Wednesday of Holy Week. You may have heard the Supreme Executive Committee refer to this day as “Spy Wednesday.” Unlike many terms associated with the saintly smackdown, the SEC did not, in fact, make up this name on a whim. Thus, as several of you have asked us about this unusual name for the Wednesday in Holy Week, we thought we’d shed some light on this.
First of all, Spy Wednesday does not refer to James Bond, the Cold War, or even the famous Spy vs. Spy comic strip popularized by Mad Magazine (though there is an uncanny resemblance here to Tim and Scott).
Spy Wednesday gets its name because it 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. The synoptic gospels all include an account of the betrayal — Matthew 26:12-14, Mark 14:10-12, Luke 22:3-6.
This is how the Gospel of Luke recounts the events:
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 of dark spy-like conspiracy. 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 the whole 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.
Spy on then!
As a Rookie, I have enjoyed the mixture of humor and enlightenment provided by Lent Madness. This has been a most rewarding experience. As for the meaning of Spy Wednesday, it is undeniable that Judas betrayed Jesus;. I once had a conversation with someone who believed that Judas’ role was played out as a necessary element in the design of the sacrifice Jesus was born to make on our behalf. All roles in the events that led to Jesus’ death and resurrection were preordained. Thinking about that certainly presented me with some conflicting feelings about Judas and his actions. All I know for sure is that Jesus forgave him his betrayal, as he does us our trespasses.
Indeed, I believe it is fair to say that Judas betrayed Jesus in fulfillment of scripture as I believe it is equally fair to say that Jesus was not tried or crucified because of the mere betrayal of a disciple as the overarching role of the Anointed One is to be “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”
Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus hath undone thee.
‘T was I Lord Jesus, I it was denied!
I crucified thee.
For me, kind Jesus, was they incarnation,
thy mortal sorrow, and they life’s oblation;
thy death of anguish and they bitter passion,
for my salvation.
Interesting observation, thank you…
Thank you, Tim, Scott and the whole bloggeratia (my word) for the wonderful commentaries you have given us this Lent, and for continually calling us back to the true meaning of Lent Madness: “to engage us all in an exploration of the ways God’s grace has filled the lives of men and women…. and…learning in to see in fresh ways how Jesus Christ matters to all humanity.”
I echo Jan in thanking Tim and Scott for their communication skills and for using them to make the meaning of Lent and the last days of Jesus on earth even more meaningful. The directness of these thoughts also gives us applications to our own daily lives and encounters.
So is it a painting of Rembrandt? Surely something more than “an illustration.”
Painting by Caravaggio
Had fun and learned about new saints.Even voted against my favs.
It has been a fun Lent, full of intrigue and learning, one not soon forgotten. I leave this lent enlightened and encouraged. Thankyou for the experience.
It’s been great fun. I’ve learned so much. Thanks for all who put this Lenten endeavor together and to all the voters for their contributions as well.
Agree with Joan. I’ve enjoyed every minute and am eagerly awaiting the election of our Golden Halo honoree!
yes. great fun. Thanks to all who made me smile and keep a holy and happy Lent
You guys once again have done a great job in prodding us to investigate church history and think about how well, or horribly, we have spread the Gospel over the centuries. Let’s pray for today’s Christian martyrs who are dying uncelebrated in the battle zones of the Mideast and Africa.
Amen.
Brilliant work Tom, Scott and the Celebrity Bloggers. Thank you too all commentators, especially Oliver. This has been a joyous community to be in as we journey to the cross. May you all have a blessed and holy Easter.
THANK YOU both so much; learnt so much and it has been a happy event during Lent. As Jan said, it has helped us “to engage us all in an exploration of the ways God’s grace has filled the lives of men and women…. and…learning in to see in fresh ways how Jesus Christ matters to all humanity.”
Blessings to you both for EASTER
This current “Jury of responses” being 11:1 female is somewhat indicative of why so many of the winning Saints have followed the same gender trend.
D’accord!
I’m sorry we only get one Lent per year to exercise our Madness muscles in!
I’m sorry we only get one Lent per year to exercise our Madness muscles in!
Regarding Spy Wednesday, yesterday the magnificent choir at Grace Church, Brooklyn (Diocese of LI) sang Petrich’s choral variations on Ah, Holy Jesus which reminds us that we are the guilty ones and that we betrayed Jesus and we crucified Him. I heard + Frank Griswold preach on Spy Wednesday a few years ago and learned the term from him. Certainly it’s a day with readings that provide much food for thought.
Ah, yes. Our valiant choir of 10 brave souls sang an arrangement of this, also. At our final rehearsal, our director reminded us that for this to be successful, we all had to own the pain and suffering. She thus must take full responsibility for having an alto section, at least, that was singing through copious tears. (I do NOT do that well!) And I had been the one to do that reading, as well.
Yesterday the magnificent choir at Grace Church, Brooklyn (Diocese of LI) sang Petrich’s choral variations on Ah, Holy Jesus which reminds us that we are the guilty ones and that we betrayed Jesus and we crucified Him. I heard + Frank Griswold preach on Spy Wednesday a few years ago and learned the term from him. Certainly it’s a day with readings that provide much food for thought.
Sorry for the double post. It can happen on a commuter bus that goes in and out of service in northern NJ…
Sad to see the Lenten Madness end. Ever think about Advent?
Indeed, Jo. Musical pieces like this can turn on the water works. Such is the stuff of Holy Week! May you have a blessed and edifying Holy Week.
I have friends who have given things up for Lent. What I seem to have given up most is failing to pay attention to the passing of time during Lent. I’ve looked forward to the daily exercise of thinking about saints and Jesus. Yesterday in St John the Baptist of Thomaston Maine we had a wonderful Palm Sunday service, and I was more engaged than ever…thanks in part to daily considerations of faith, service, and endurance. Please accept my gratitude along with Ellen, Jan, and everyone else. Deep thought and a sense of humor – those two things bear all the hallmarks of God’s hand at work.
Totally hooked on Saintly Bracketology! Thank you SEC and team for this unique ministry that planted seeds of curiousity and wonder rooted in humor and knowledge.
I’m sure most of us don’t even realize how much time is put in to develop Lent Madness. Many thanks to Tim and Scott and the celebrity bloggers as well as all the commentators. Yes, I’ve laughed but over the last three years I’ve also learned so many ways to be deemed a saint. And special thanks to Oliver for keeping things simple enough and helping us know what’s important in voting!
Please let me add my thanks to Tim and Scott and all the bloggers and commenters. What a splendid adventure – thank you each and all. And thank you especially for this:
“But the whole 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.” Amen!
Amen and amen !
Yes, Amen and Amen!
Amen and Amen again! This has been a wonderful journey!
As SPY Wednesday approaches, I ask that as Jesus forgave Judas, Those wonderful saints who did not get my vote forgive me. They have enlightened my comprehension of the catholic character of Christianity. I plead that I might still have beer and safety from seals when I visit the seashore this summer.
Well said, Lee. Well said, indeed!
Without the events of conspiracy, bribery, and the promise of betrayal that happened on Spy Wednesday, there would be no arrest, no Good Friday, and no Easter! All part of a Holy plan! Amen to that!
Amen!
I have thoroughly enjoyed Lent Madness and learned a good deal. Thank you all.
Peace and a Blessed Easter.
I merely borrowed the Time. Thankfully you Lent Madness. Regretfully, not a bit Spytefully, we must say adieu. What a delightful ride. Happy Eastertide!
Greetings from Canada! I just wanted to echo what so many people have already posted. This is my first Lenten Madness (we were tipped off to it by our pastor) and have thoroughly enjoyed the journey, even though my favourite saint of all time (Theresa) was wiped out at the get go.
God’s blessings to all this Easter and happy belated birthday Oliver, you are a joy.
Thanks especially to all the commentators for your thoughts and your companionship through Lent. Lent Madness is an experience I would not want to miss ever again!