The First Sorrowful Mystery:
The Agony in the Garden

“‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.’ And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground” (Lk 22:42-44). 

“Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not undergo the test.’ After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.’ And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test’” (Lk 22:39-46). “Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders…. [Judas] came and immediately went over to him and said, ‘Rabbi.’ And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him” (Mk 14:43-46).

Jesus is overwhelmed by his agony in the garden. “[T]he full power of the abyss of destruction, evil, and enmity with God is now unleashed upon him… He experiences deeply all the horror, filth, and baseness that he must drink from the chalice prepared for him, the vast power of sin and death” (Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI). Jesus must begin his passion now, so he can see clearly what is coming and freely choose it. He chooses to obey the Father; he seeks the Father’s will over his own. He chooses freely to give all for love of the Father and for love of each of us. We disciples of Christ are likewise called to choose the Father’s will over our own, come what may, for love of the Father and our brethren.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

Jesus drinks deeply of the chalice offered to him. He experiences in advance all the physical suffering that lies before him. And far worse, he experiences in advance the wages of sin for all humanity. The wages of sin are death—separation from the Father! For the first time, Jesus is not dwelling in the Father’s presence. He is horribly isolated from the Father, from his source of life, power, and joy. He experiences a living death, a necessary abandonment, as he prepares for his passion. We too must persevere for love of God in those dark times when he seems so far away.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

“When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, ‘So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?’” (Mt 26:40). At this time, our Lord truly needed someone to pray with him, to in some minor way console him with at least their presence—their attention. Our Lord gave everything for us, gave without measure, can we not keep watch with him for one hour? Let us meditate deeply on indeed keeping him company that dark night—reaching beyond time and space to the Suffering Servant who is God. Likewise, let us consider an hour in Eucharistic adoration and spend that one hour with the Lord.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

Love sacrifices. A love unwilling to sacrifice is no love at all. Our Lord prepares for the ultimate sacrifice to express the ultimate love with eyes wide open to the unfathomable suffering this sacrifice would require of him.

+ + +

“The wages of sin is death”—spiritual death—isolation from the Father (Rom 6:23). Jesus endured the wages of sin though he knew not sin itself; he experienced isolation from the Father for the first time on our behalf, as one of us, for love of us.

+ + +

The Father felt far away for the very first time. Jesus sought a little consolation from his friends, their simply staying awake with him. Even this was denied him.