Spy Wednesday 2013

Judas and Peter

Spy Wednesday,

Holy Wednesday,

The Wednesday before the Crucifixion,

The day that Judas Iscariot

Conspires with the High Priest

And receives thirty pieces of silver
For the deed to come.
On the morrow,
With a kiss,

Judas hands Christ over 
To his enemies
In the time that follows

Peter denies Jesus thrice.
After Jesus' death
But before the resurrection,
Judas dies by his own hand. 
Peter sits in the upper room
Devastated that he betrayed his Teacher.
Judas dies unforgiven.
Peter knows forgiveness

From the risen Christ.
What is the difference between the fates

Of these two men?

Judas dies despised by all his breathren.
Peter dies the rock
On which Christ's church is erected.  
 Judas acts to take his life
While Peter waits.
Is that the answer?
When all is clothed in darkness,
Must we wait
 For God
Not act on impulse?

In this Easter season,
Give us the knowledge to know
When not to take action.
Give us the strength to wait for God.

Spy Wednesday

Judas and Peter

Spy Wednesday,

Holy Wednesday,

The Wednesday before the Crucifixion.

The day that Judas Iscariot

Went to the High Priests.

For thirty pieces of silver

Judas would hand Christ over to them.

In the time that follows.
Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss.

Peter denies Jesus thrice.
Judas dies by his own hand.
Peter dies Christ's servant

Many years later.
What is the difference?
Judas never knew forgiveness

In this world.
Peter knew forgiveness

From the risen Christ.
Why was one desolate onto death 

And the other emboldened for life?
Because Judas acted
While Peter waited?
Is that the answer?
When all is clothed in darkness,
We must wait

For divine guidance,
Not act on impulse.

In this Easter season,
Give us the strength

To wait for God's whisper.