Agony in the Garden

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In Matthew 26:36-46 we are with Jesus, late in the evening after they have celebrated the Passover, Jesus has washed their feet, and broken the bread with his friends. Now they have gone to Gethsemane, a garden they may have stopped in regularly together on their way into Jerusalem.

The irony is not lost on me that I found myself heavy with sleep as I was trying to record this podcast. I have struggled with heavy sleepiness on a number of occasions  this week, but still, it is very unusual during recording, so I know where I find myself in the story this time… losing the battle to heavy lids with Peter, James and John.

“The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” Matthew 26:41

I’ve heard said that this was the first betrayal. When Jesus was in extreme emotional and spiritual agony, asking his friends to stay with him in mind and heart, they were unable to do so. They left him to face his inner battles entirely by himself.

As we enter holy week with Jesus, I invite you to find whatever space you can to be attentive to his story, and to find yourself in his story, in some way.

You can find more holy week meditations here.

Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.

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All music by Pete Hatch.