AUDIO MEDITATION:

Arkhip Kuindzhi (Russian, 1842-1910), Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Public domain.

FULL TEXT:

After the Last Supper, Jesus took his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he left them to pray, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will.”

When he returned, they had fallen asleep, and he woke them, saying, “The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.”

In this painting, Jesus stands in the light but is about to step across the threshold of darkness. Dark figures with weapons lurk in the shadows—it is a trap. He is one step away from entering his passion and suffering.

In pivotal moments of our lives, we find ourselves in the same position. Like Jesus, we sometimes stand on the threshold of darkness, unable to see our way forward but knowing that suffering lies ahead. How might we make his prayer and faithfulness our own?