First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden
Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, “Pray that you may not undergo the test.” After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed,saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” [And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.]
(Luke 22:39–44)
Reflection Prayer
Jesus, as You knelt before Your Father in the garden, I know Your Heart was filled with agony and pain. You knew what was to come and the excruciating pain You must suffer. But more than that, Your Heart suffered the agony of knowing Your children, who You loved so much would reject You, condemn You, torture You, and crucify You. You had given Your whole life to show them the way of love, the way of healing, the way of mercy, and now, You would show them the way of the cross.
The pain Your Heart suffered was also knowing that even after the victory You would have over death, You would still be rejected, even in this very day, this very hour, by so many of Your children! You wait, lonely day and night, waiting to be adored by Your children, waiting for them to come to visit You. You foresaw it all then. Jesus, may my heart burn with love for You so that when I am able, I will always seek to visit You in Your tabernacle of love where You are present and ready to receive even the greatest of sinners. May my heart burn as Yours did that day in the garden of Gethsemane, so I may desire to love others so much that I am willing to endure suffering, pain, and hardship for their sake, so they may come to spend eternal life with You. May I surrender to Your will as You surrendered Yourself to the Father.
Jesus, help me surrender myself always to Your will, as You surrendered Yourself to Your Father. Give me the faith to know that if God wishes to deliver me from suffering, He will do so. Give me the courage to see suffering as a blessing, and to suffer it willingly as You did, so it may be a gift I can return to You, Jesus, to console Your agonizing Heart, so You may have mercy on me and all sinners throughout the world.
*Reflection Prayer is taken with permission from The Passion Suffered by the Heart of Jesus: Prayerful Reflections on the Stations of the Cross.
*Scripture passages in this meditation are taken from the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE).