Lent: Day 29

They came to a place named Gethsemane. He said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be greatly troubled and distressed. He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch.”

He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Please remove this cup from me. However, not my will, but yours, be done.”

He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour? Watch and pray, that you not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Again he went away, and prayed, saying the same words. Again he returned, and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they didn’t know what to answer him. He came the third time, and said to them, “You’ve slept now, and taken your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up and get ready; he who betrays me is at hand.”

Reflection

 

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus told us how to pray; in Gethsemane, Jesus showed us how to pray. He told God what he wanted (“If possible, let me avoid this cup of suffering”), and then he subordinated his desire to God’s will (“Not my will but yours be done”). Are your prayers like this or do you have trouble getting beyond telling God what you want? 

Prayer: Remind me what you prayed in Gethsemane, Lord, whenever I start putting my desires ahead of your will.