Today is called \”Spy Wednesday\” because the Gospel from Matthew (26:14-25) recounts when Judas went to the high priests to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus forewarns the other Apostles that the betrayal will soon take place.
St. Thomas Aquinas, in his Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, makes some points about Judas.
Judas Iscariot… Who betrayed him. Why is he listed? To give an example that dignity of rank does not make a person holy. Another reason is to remind us that it scarcely happens that in a large group someone is not evil. Therefore, he is listed to show that good persons are sometimes not without wicked ones: \”As a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters\” (Song of Songs 2:2). Augustine: \”My house is not better than the Lord\’s house.\” …
The devil … is called \”the prince of this world.\” His vessels are men. Vessel is taken in two senses. A vessel of something is that which is filled with it, as a vessel of oil, because it is full of oil, or a vessel of water, because it is full of water; in this way some are vessels of the devil, because they are filled with the devil, either in regard to the body, as those obsessed by the devil; but in regard to the soul those whose hearts are in full accord with the devil\’s will, as is said of Judas Sometimes vessels are any instruments destined for any purpose whatever; hence whoever affords the occasion of sin to others is called the devil\’s vessel. But no matter the sense in which it is taken, Christ destroyed the devil\’s vessels: \”I disarmed the principalities and powers, and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in him\” (Col 2:15). …
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