The First Sorrowful Mystery - the Agony of Jesus in the Garden

Can you visualize the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane? Can you feel his extreme pain as he contemplated what he must undergo?  There, in that forlorn garden, at the dead of night, Jesus wrestled with his fears and doubts over the task set out by his Father.  It was his human side that feared and grieved.  He had not gone blindly to his forthcoming crucifixion.  There in the Garden of Gethsemane  he knew exactly what he was about to face.

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. When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test."

- The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 22, Verses 39-46

Oh, Jesus, we pray that we would be as brave as you were at Gethsemane.  Often we tremble at our fears and problems.  We become confused and angry when we face seemingly insurmountable odds.  We blame others, and we even blame you and your Father.  We pray that we would have the grace to surrender instead.

Yes, Lord, help us to surrender our whole being to the Father's will.  To simply say "Let your will be done."  To OBEY without question, as you did.

Only then will we know the utmost peace of God's love and protection.  And only then will we witness the exquisite unfolding of God's grand plan for all of us.

Prayer Beads:

Our Father
Hail Mary (10 times)
Glory Be
My Jesus

NOTE:  Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays.