Prayers - The path to empowerment, intimacy and peace
A) Sorrowful Mysteries
Christ's Agony in Gethsemane
Matthew 26:26-56 | Mark 14:32-72 | Luke 22:39-71 |John 18:1-27
26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters because of me this night; for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 Peter said to him, “Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And so said all the disciples.36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38 Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.” 47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. 51 Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. *(NRSVCE)
Pick any one Reflection below for Meditating this Decade:
A) JESUS INSTITUTES THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST [Read verse 26-29 above] the night before His passion, Jesus gives the Apostles the sacrament of the Eucharist, which is the body and blood of our savior Jesus Christ, as the source and summit of Christian spirituality and worship. This reality has been passed on by the apostles to the early Church Fathers, right up to this very day. St. Ignatius of Antioch (disciple of John the apostle) taught:
"I have no taste for the food that perishes nor for the pleasures of this life. I want the Bread of God which is the Flesh of Christ...and for drink I desire His Blood" (Letter to the Romans, para 7, circa 80-110AD)
St. Justin Martyr wrote:
"And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία (the Eucharist, Greek meaning "Thanksgiving"), of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration... the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, ... is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them." (The First Apology, para 66, circa 100-165AD)
Meditation: Lord, wherever we struggle with temptations in the flesh, put a hedge of protection around us and nourish our spirits in the most holy Eucharist, where we will have our ultimate victory.
B) CHRIST IS THE SOURCE OF OUR STRENGTH [Read verse 30-35 above] How often have we relied on our own strength and failed. We seek success in our careers, advancement of our children's education, we insist on our stubborn ways in our relationships with spouse, child and parent. But what does God want for us in all these? How does God want to direct us in our careers? Is parenthood about successful but spiritually empty children? Where is the intimacy and enjoyment in our marriage? Does my relationship with my parents and in-laws bear inspiring witness to my children? Have we consecrated our work, family, gifts, possessions, our very lives to Christ? That He may do what He did with the 5 loaves and 2 fish. Allow him to cultivate fruitfulness in our lives, some 30, 50, 100 fold.
Meditation: Surrender all to Christ today. For all things come from you and of your own have we given you (1 Chron 29:14). Will we be like our Blessed Mother, recognizing the greatness of our potential God calls us to through our humility and obedience?
C) LOVE IS GREATER THAN OUR FEELINGS [Read verse 36-46 above] Even Jesus did not want to suffer the pains of crucifixion. Yet he teaches us by his example that love is greater than our feelings of fear, anxiety, or sorrow. Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane exclaimed "I am deeply grieved, even to death....My Father...not what I want but what you want." Jesus' "yes" is reflected in the fiat of Mary, his mother "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word." Our own "yes" to Jesus is enjoined to that of Christ and Mary.
Meditation: Lord, we pray that you purify us more each day of any spiritual and material hindrances that prevent us from saying "yes" to you in all things. Permit us to us enjoin our own "yes" to yours and that of Mary our beloved Mother starting today.
D) FULFILLING THE WILL OF GOD AT ALL TIMES [Read verse 47-56 above] When darkness seem to eclipse us, hold firm. Learn for the Lord. Do not be moved. Almighty God can use the worse of situations to become the most sublime of blessings. Saint Thomas Aquinas said "God permits evil in order that a greater good may come about"
Meditation: Help us Mother, especially where others hurt us, to take your example of relying on God's grace to take a little step to transform sin into a moment of grace in the lives of those around us. Just as Rom 5:20 says "where sin abounded, grace did more abound."
E) [You may use the above reflections or when praying as a family or group come up with your own! Have one family member read a part or the entire scriptural passage above that strikes them (1 or 2 verses is just fine). Listen with an open heart as this person shares his/her thoughts or insights. A family praying the rosary together is a graced-filled way to foster spiritual growth and bonding together.]
Scourging at the Pillar
Crowning with Thorns
Carrying of the Cross
Crucifixion
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