Lent Day 9: Thursday after the First Sunday in Lent — On the Road to Gethsemani.

On the Road to Gethsemani.

Listen to this meditation audio by using the player above.

Read St. Mark xiv. 26-34.

[26] And when they had said a hymn, they went forth to the mount of Olives. [27] And Jesus saith to them: You will all be scandalized in my regard this night; for it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be dispersed. [28] But after I shall be risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. [29] But Peter saith to him: Although all shall be scandalized in thee, yet not I. [30] And Jesus saith to him: Amen I say to thee, today, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shall deny me thrice.

[31] But he spoke the more vehemently: Although I should die together with thee, I will not deny thee. And in like manner also said they all. [32] And they came to a farm called Gethsemani. And he saith to his disciples: Sit you here, while I pray. [33] And he taketh Peter and James and John with him; and he began to fear and to be heavy. [34] And he saith to them: My soul is sorrowful even unto death; stay you here, and watch.

1. After singing one of the paschal hymns, Our Lord and His apostles went forth to the Garden of Gethsemani.  On the way a strange sorrow spread over the countenance of Jesus.  His unfailing cheerfulness forsook Him.  His disciples wondered at the sudden change.  It was the shadow of His sacred Passion which fell upon Him, the beginning of the black darkness which was to envelop His Sacred Heart.  When the shadow of desolation falls on me, may I remember Thee, O Lord, thus downcast on the road to Gethsemani!

2. In mournful words Our Lord addresses the apostles: “You will all be scandalized in My regard this night.  You will all fly like cowards when the danger comes.  One of you will betray Me, another will deny Me thrice, all will forsake Me.”  How this thought pierced with anguish the sensitive heart of Jesus!  Of all who for three years had been His chosen friends and companions, who had seen His miracles and listened to His divine words, not one would be found faithful.  My God, how often have I been found unfaithful to Thee!

3. At length Our Lord’s bitter sorrow breaks out in words still more mournful: “My soul is sorrowful even unto death.”  The darkness which was gathering round Him was even then like the darkness of death.  He began to fear and to be very heavy.  He could hardly endure the misery which even then began to fall on Him.  Pray for sympathy with Jesus, and the power of appreciating a little the divine love which undertook all this for your sake.

 


This article, Lent Day 9: Thursday after the First Sunday in Lent — On the Road to Gethsemani. is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
https://bellarmineforum.org/devotional/the-catholic-daily/lent-meditations-preface-information/lent-day-9-thursday-first-sunday-lent-road-gethsemani/
Do not repost the entire article without written permission. Reasonable excerpts may be reposted so long as it is linked to this page.

Share
Tweet
Pin
Flip