Jesus Christ knelt down, hit his face on the earth, and remained prostrate as if unworthy to look to heaven. He thought of the infinite majesty of God to whom he spoke as man bearing the weight of our sins.
“My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me. Nevetheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” (Lk 22:4)
Jesus gives us the example of a heroic resignation. Like us in his human nature, the sight of death, the thought of sufferings and humiliations which will precede it, made him implore his heavenly Father, to spare Him these sacrifices. Still he declared his readiness to endure them if it is His will.
This is how we ought to pray when we ask God to deliver us from anything against our natural inclination. But we should always say ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ in everything we ask for daily.
Jesus interrupted his prayer three times to inquire of his disciples who seemed unaware of the greatest danger. Immediately he went back to pray, and repeated ... ‘not as I will, but thy will be done’.
We learn two things: 1) We ought not to pray too long as to neglect works of charity. Neither must we allow our charitable zeal lead to neglect of prayer. We should sanctify zeal by prayer, and enrich prayer by zealous charitable labors.
2) We ought not to pray with a variety of forms and expressions, nor be weary of repeating our petitions.
In any activity, much prayer should precede action.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp87-9
The treason of Judas
“As he spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs ...” (Mt 26:47)
Judas, taught by Jesus for three years, confirmed in the faith by so many miracles, loaded with favors, has become the tool of those who plot the death of his Lord. For thirty pieces of silver he treacherously delivers him into their hands. Such is the depth of blindness into which avarice has slowly plunged Judas!
What revolting hypocrisy! Did Judas believe that he could deceive God, as he had deceived men? How passion blinds its victims!
Everybody detests the crime of Judas; but there are Christians nowadays who renew it by making a sacrilegious Communion [eg, receiving the Holy Eucharist while in a state of mortal sin]. They in reality deliver up Jesus under the cloak of piety, to the demons in their hearts.
May God preserve us from such a crime! There are acts of hypocrisy less revolting but which we ought neverthess to fear and detest -- contenting ourselves with exterior virtue and piety, being more careful about duties before colleagues than when alone, alleging false pretexts to attain our ends, etc.
Which is the more wonderful -- the sweetness of Jesus, or hardness of heart of Judas? In addressing Judas, “My friend”, Jesus signified his readiness to pardon him. By asking Judas, “What did you come for?” (Mt 26:50)
Jesus wished to help Judas examine himself, to recognize and abhor his crime. But Judas was firm. Jesus tried again to convert him by showing he knew of his treachery, saying: “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Lk 22:48) All was in vain. He remained obstinate.
The extraordinary gentleness of Jesus ought to redouble our love for him. The unusual hardness of the traitor should fill us with fear and extreme distrust of ourselves, no matter how virtuous we believe we are.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp96-8
Jesus is taken captive; Apostles flee
“Jesus came forward and asked them, ‘Whom do you seek?’ They answered, ‘Jesus of Nazareth’. Jesus replied, ‘I am he’. At his answer, they fell backward to the ground. ‘If therefore, you seek me, let these go away.’
“... Simon Peter, having a sword drew it and struck the servant of the high-priest, and cut off his right ear. The name of the servant was Malchus. Jesus, having touched his ear, healed it.” (cf Jn 18:4-8,10)
Why did Jesus multiply proofs of his divinity by wonderful miracles at the start of his Passion? To show that being taken prisoner ‘... was his own will’, as Isaiah had foretold.
Otherwise, how would the martyrs have replied to the insult of their tyrants? What folly to adore a God who was put to death by men! And how could the saints have convinced them that Jesus’ violent death was not due to powerlessness, but his love for the human race?
Let us recognize and appreciate the indulgent goodness of God to men. If Jesus obliges them to humbly believe mysteries which they cannot understand, only because he says so, he helps their belief, not by grace alone, but through miracles which appeal to the senses. All these he is ready to repeat as often as necessary.
How great was the blindness of the Jews! Despite the wonderful miracles which they witnessed, they persevered in their criminal intentions. And because he gave himself up, they thought they had conquered.
There is proof that even miracles do not convert the man who indulges his passions. Passion blinds a man, stifling the voice of reason and conscience. On the other hand, Jesus yields; bound, shoved, struck, and grossly insulted all the way from Gethsemane to Jerusalem.
Recall, then, the end of the promises of the disciples. All had assured their beloved Master that they were determined never to forsake him, to go with him to prison and to death. But as soon as they saw him bound, all shamefully abandoned him and fled.
The words of Jesus were then verified -- “All you shall be scandalized in me this night” (Mt 26:31; Mk 14:27), meaning they would be unfaithful. Seeing him led to prison they lost faith in his divinity, his omnipotence, and left him. For it is written, “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be dispersed” (Mt 26:31; Mk 14:27).
Such was the consequence of the Apostles’ presumption, and their neglect of prayer before the struggle, as Jesus had expressly advised them to do.
We condemn the inconstancy and cowardice of the Apostles; blame them for deserting. But we deserve to be condemned, too for habitually being unfaithful to our promises and resolutions; and neglecting to pray.
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp99-101
Our Lady -- “The holy Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, will bring relief to your heart, when it feels as if it’s made of flesh, if you have recourse to her with confidence.” (Cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 504)
• Apparition of Our Lord to Our Lady and the apostles in the supper-room on the eighth day after his resurrection. — Balingham on Calend. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Apparition of Jesus to Mary and the Apostles eight days after Resurrection. Date is based on original celebrated date of Easter, March 25. Mary's presence is textually unclear. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Apparition of Our Lord to Our Lady and the Apostles in the upper room. (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Apparition of Our Lord to Mary and the Apostles eight days after Resurrection. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
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