The Way
The Night in Gethsemane
Not my will, but yours
Story
That night, after the supper, they crossed the Kidron Valley and entered the garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Moonlight seeped faintly through the olive trees. Jesus took only Peter, James, and John and went in deeper. Then he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.
About a stone's throw away, he fell to the ground. Father, if it is possible, take this cup away from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he came back, he found the disciples asleep, exhausted from sorrow. Could you not keep watch with me for one hour? Three times he went off alone to pray, and came back.
Then torches flickered out of the darkness beyond, and a crowd came pressing in with swords and clubs. At its head was Judas. He called out, Rabbi, and kissed Jesus. Peter drew his sword and cut off the right ear of the high priest's servant, Malchus. Jesus said, no more of this, and touched the ear and healed it. When the crowd seized Jesus, all the disciples deserted him and ran away.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet let it be not what I want, but what you want.
My soul is crushed with grief, to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.
Stay awake and pray, so you do not give in to temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Put your sword back in its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has handed me?
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Mt 26:36–56 · Mk 14:32–52 · Lk 22:39–53 · Jn 18:1–11
Background
Gethsemane is usually explained as meaning olive press. It was an olive grove at the foot of the Mount of Olives, and Luke and John say Jesus often went there with his disciples.
Pause and Reflect
When it is hard to let go of my own will, do I remember Jesus' prayer?