Monday of Holy Week
Walking down from the Mount of Olives towards the city, we come to the Church of All Nations, better known as the Basilica of the Agony, right beside the Garden of Gethsemane.
The ceiling is painted a striking blue in recognition of the detail that, when Jesus and the disciples left the upper room to pray in Gethsemane, ‘it was night’ – signalling not only the time of day but the mood and the imminent danger.
Within the church, there is said to be the rock on which Jesus fell down when he sweated drops of blood. This claim is reasonably uncertain, but the location of the Garden itself is well attested. If not on that rock under the altar, then close by, Jesus lay prostrate and prayed the anguished words ‘if it is possible, remove this cup from me’.
The garden itself is not big. ‘Gethsemane’ means oil press, and there are some very ancient olive trees still growing here.
Here is what happened in this little garden 2000 years ago:
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba,[f] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Mark 14: 32-42
This Holy Week is a time to accompany the Lord in prayer. You might find the simple Taize song ‘Stay with me’ (Watch and Pray) helpful as you do so today – click here.
As in the ‘Lord’s Prayer’, Jesus begins by intimately and simply addressing God as Abba, that is Father. He is not afraid to show his anguish, either to his close inner circle of friends, or to God.
Jesus prays with his full humanity. He has no death wish. He is not impassive or impervious.
He prays three times that God will remove the cup (i.e. suffering) from him. It is a process that takes time. It is not like saying a magic spell! There is honesty, and that includes it taking time. Taking time for prayer to change things; taking time for prayer to change us.
And yet, look how Jesus’ demeanour is transformed after prayer. He arises, calmer, newly resourced for what is about to happen.
The Collect of Monday in Holy Week
Almighty God,
whose most dear Son went not up to joy,
but first he suffered pain,
and entered not into glory before he was crucified:
Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of his cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Greek this Week 