🕯️ Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The Chief Priests Paid Judas
30 Pieces of Silver to Betray Jesus

Photo created by James Dacey, Jr. using Co-Pilot.

Spy Wednesday • Wednesday of Holy Week • Year A • Beads of Joy Blog II

✝️ Today's Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-25

📖 The Gospel

Judas goes to the chief priests and asks, what are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you? They pay him thirty pieces of silver. From that moment, he looks for an opportunity to hand Him over. Meanwhile, Jesus says to His disciples, go into the city, prepare the Passover for us.

🙏 Reflection

Spy Wednesday. The day everything goes quietly before the storm. Judas is counting his silver on one side of the city. Jesus is preparing the Passover on the other hand. Two completely different kinds of preparation are happening simultaneously, one for betrayal, one for the greatest gift ever given.

Isaiah describes the suffering servant today with piercing accuracy, I gave my back to those who beat me. I did not shield my face. The Lord God is my help. That is Jesus on Wednesday of Holy Week, quietly, fully aware, preparing Himself for what Thursday night will bring. No drama. No escape plan. Just a man who knows exactly what is coming and sets the table anyway.

This is the holiest silence of the year. The last quiet day before everything breaks open. Use it.

🌟 HOLY WEEK CHALLENGE - The Holy Hour

Today's challenge is the oldest one in the book, and Jesus asked for it Himself in the garden. Could you not watch with me for one hour?

Find one hour today, or even thirty minutes if that is truly all you have, and give it completely to God. No agenda. No shopping list of prayer requests. Just sit with Him. Adoration if you can get there. A quiet church. Your prayer corner at home. Wherever you meet Him is best.

Just be with Him today. Tomorrow everything changes.


📿 Rosary - The Sorrowful Mysteries

Focus: The Crowning with Thorns

While Judas counted silver and plotted, Jesus prepared the table. While the world mocked and plotted against Him, He kept His face set like flint toward Jerusalem. As you pray these beads today, meditate on the quiet dignity of a King who never stopped being King even when they put thorns on His head.

🌹 Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady asked for holy hours, specifically the Five First Saturdays devotion, because she understood that what the world needs most is people willing to simply sit with her Son in reparation and love. Spy Wednesday is the perfect day to answer that request. One hour. Him and you. No silver changing hands. Just love.

🕊️ Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, here I am. No agenda. No hurry. Just one hour, or as close as I can get, with You. You set the table for me. Let me sit at it today. Amen.




©2026 James Dacey, Jr., OFS

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Want to know more about My Spiritual Journey?
Read My Story: An Invitation To Read My Story - My Testimony

Location: Tonawanda, NY 14150, USA

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