Each year during Holy Week we invite people to enter into the drama of the passion of Jesus. We wave our palms on Palm Sunday; we remember the Last Supper and foot washing on Maundy Thursday; we revere Jesus on the cross for us on Good Friday, we gather around glimmers of light on the Saturday Easter vigil; and we shout our Alleluias on Easter Sunday.
We walk with Jesus through the events of the passion and on to his glorious victory in a rhythm that has gone on for nearly 2000 years. Powerful stuff!
When though do we pause to watch and wait while Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane?
“I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here and keep awake,” Jesus tells his disciples. The disciples fell asleep, oblivious to the agony of Jesus as he prayed, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” (Mark 14:34, 36)
Could you not keep awake one hour? (14:37)
Let's take a moment to watch and wait and pray.
A prayer from Ephrem of Syria a 4th century church leader:
“You love humankind, O Christ, and I glorify you for that. You are the only Son, the Lord of all things. You alone are without sin. You gave yourself up to death for me, an unworthy dinner, the death of the cross. Through this suffering, you have delivered all human beings from the snare of evil. What shall I render to you, Lord, for such goodness?
“Glory to you, friend of all!
Glory to you, O merciful Lord!
Glory to you, long-suffering God!
Glory to you, who takes away all sins!
Glory to you, who came to save us!
Glory to you, who became flesh in the womb of the virgin!
Glory to you, bound in cords!
Glory to you, whipped and scourged!
Glory to you, mocked and derided!
Glory to you, nailed to the cross!
Glory to you, buried and risen!
Glory to you, proclaimed to all humankind, who believe in you!
Glory to you, ascended to heaven! Amen."
Awed by Christ's sacrificial love,
Jeff Silvernail
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