Spy Wednesday: The Silence Beneath the Silver

Scripture for the Day

“Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.”
—Matthew 26:14–15

Sacred Invitation

There is no crowd today.
No temple teaching.
No overturned tables or open parables.

Today moves in whispers.
In glances.
In closed rooms.

This is the day of Spy Wednesday—
when one of the twelve
slips away into the night,
and trades friendship for coin.

It’s easy to demonize Judas.
But today invites something harder:
To look at the places within ourselves
where silence has partnered with fear.
Where loyalty buckles under pressure.
Where we’ve bartered away what is sacred
for something that seemed easier to hold.

There is no spectacle today.
Only shadows.
Only the ache of knowing something precious is being lost
before the pain even begins.

Daily Reflection

Holy Wednesday teaches us about the betrayals that don’t make noise.
The slow, unseen unraveling of trust.
The turning away that happens long before the kiss.

This is the day of hard questions:
When have I slipped into secrecy?
When have I traded truth for safety?
When have I chosen silence over staying close?

Jesus knows what is happening.
He feels the weight of it all.
And still—
He does not run.

Even betrayal cannot keep him from the cross.

Somatic Practice: The Shadow Prayer

Find a quiet space with low light or soft candlelight.
Sit near a wall where your shadow can be seen.
Watch it gently—your own form in muted outline.

Let yourself breathe slowly.
Say aloud or whisper:
“Even the shadow is seen by God.”

Place your hand on your heart or cheek.
And stay.
You don’t need to solve the ache.
You only need to name it.
And remain present.

Closing Prayer

Jesus,
You saw it coming.
The silver.
The silence.
The kiss that wasn’t love.

And still—you stayed.
Still—you chose the way of mercy.

Show me where I hide in secrecy.
Where I reach for what is easy
instead of what is true.

Do not let me turn away.
Even when it hurts.
Even when it’s me
who has broken trust.

Let me stay in the room
with love.

Amen.