Thursday after Lent 5

Wooden Cross with Red Cloth

32 They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” 33 And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. 34 And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” 35 And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. 36 And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” 37 And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. 41 And He came the third time, and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!” ~ Mark 14:32-42 (NASB)

Jesus’ closest disciples couldn’t stay awake to watch with him one hour. They want to do what Jesus asked, but the weaknesses of their bodies overcame them. During Holy Week, beginning on Maundy Thursday, our parish holds a vigil over the Blessed Sacrament. We are asked to spend one hour in the prayer room waiting with Jesus. Through the years, those hours have been some of the spiritually blessed times of my life.

Thank You, Lord, for the spiritual blessings I get from spending time with You. Forgive me for the times I fail to watch with Jesus and help me to do this, not only during Lent, but always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: © Depositphotos.com/Jordache

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