Opening Prayer

Lord, grant that I may see you more clearly,
love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly,
day by day.

Scripture

Luke 22:39-46

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done.” [[ Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]] When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.”

Reflection

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ prayer, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done,” exemplifies ultimate surrender to God’s will. Despite facing immense anguish and the prospect of suffering, Jesus chooses to submit to the Father’s plan. This personal moment between the Father and the Son demonstrates to us that we should trust in God’s wisdom and goodness, even when we face difficult and painful situations. By aligning our will with God’s, we find strength and peace, knowing that He is with us through every trial.

Jesus’ intense prayer in the garden, marked by earnestness and profound physical distress, underscores the importance of persistent and heartfelt prayer in times of trial. His instruction to the disciples to “pray that you may not come into the time of trial” highlights the necessity of spiritual vigilance and reliance on God. This passage inspires us to cultivate a disciplined prayer life, seeking God’s guidance and strength consistently. Through persistent prayer, we are fortified against the challenges we face and remain connected to God’s sustaining grace.

Contemplation

I take a few moments to imagine the scene from the Gospel story I just read. I let the words come alive in my heart. I visualise the event as if I was there and part of the story. I pay attention to all the details, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells, and the feelings of the event. I imagine myself as one of the characters in the scene or as myself present in the story. What message does Jesus have for me? How is God speaking to me personally through this story? I open my heart to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving

I ask God, the Father, to give me an intimate knowledge of the many gifts I have received,
so that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty.

Fellow Pilgrims

If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces… never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again. That’s the beauty of being alive… We can always start all over again. Enjoy God’s amazing opportunities bestowed on us. Have faith in Him always.

– Saint Bernadette (feast day)

Closing Prayer

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen.