The Agony in the Garden

What is this event?

This is Jesus’ hour of prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, on the night before he died. The garden is on the Mount of Olives, near the city of Jerusalem. This event has no feast day of its own; the Church remembers it in the reading of the Passion and in the first Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary.

The story

When they arrived, the Lord told the disciples to sit down, then took Peter, James and John with him (cf. Mt 26:36-37; Mk 14:33). He said: “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” (Mt 26:38).

He went a little farther and fell on his face in prayer (cf. Mt 26:39). Saint Luke tells us that he knelt about a stone’s throw away from them; an angel from heaven appeared to strengthen him, and he prayed even more earnestly, and “his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground” (Lk 22:44).

Three times he came back, and three times he found the disciples asleep (cf. Mt 26:40-45). He reminded them: “Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test.” (Mt 26:41). The last time, he told them to get up, because the one who was betraying him had arrived (cf. Mt 26:45-46).

The card shows only Jesus praying alone and the three disciples asleep.

What does Jesus want to teach you?

Here you see that Jesus is truly human, like you: he knows what it is to be sad and afraid. But he does not run away. He chooses to do the Father’s will because he loves us. His prayer is also what you ask for every day in the Our Father: that the Father’s will be done. The Lord also teaches you that prayer is the strength that helps us stand firm when we are tempted.

A lesson for you

• When you are worried or afraid, run to the Father in prayer.
• Practice saying to God: let me do your will, even when it is hard.
• Keep watch with the Lord: spend some time in adoration of the Eucharist, especially on the evening of Holy Thursday.