Seeing the Face of Christ in Holy Week--Wednesday, April 4

Matthew  26:36-46

³⁶Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." ³⁷He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. ³⁸Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." ³⁹And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want." ⁴⁰Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? ⁴¹Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." ⁴²Again he went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." ⁴³Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. ⁴⁵Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."

I love the story of Jesus praying in the garden, of his closest friends falling asleep as he was preparing for his most terrible ordeal.  It is such a perfect illustration of the human weakness that is part of us all.  It brings to mind all the times in my life that my intentions were good, but my resolve was weak.  I really meantto do more good, to do less bad; I meantto be more generous, to be less selfish; I meantto be more loving, to be less petty; I meant to do more for others and less for myself; and so on, and so on, and so on.  But knowing that Jesus’ own closest friends and followers were also weak speaks volumes to us today; even they could not follow through with their good intentions, even after Jesus – knowing of his coming ordeal – had implored them to keep watch with him. Of course they meant to keep watch with him; of course, they meant to stay awake; of course, they meant to be there to support him.  But despite the best of intentions, they fell asleep.  Yes, intentions are good, but the body is weak.  As we enter into this holiest of weeks, how comforting to know that God does not judge us on what we meant to do, but accepts and loves us as the weak beings we are.  Thank you, God. 

Virginia Nugent

Reflection questions:

When have you seen the impact of your lack of follow through?

How does reading about the anguish that Jesus experienced, inform your thoughts about the events of Holy Week?

Today, find a quiet space of time in which to admit your sins of omission, and then rest, in the forgiving arms of God.