Holy
Rosary Month - Day 20: Sorrowful Mysteries 1
The
Agony in the garden of Gethsemane: In
the first sorrowful mystery we meditate on the agony of Jesus in the garden of
Gethsemane. After
the themes of joy and light we enter now into the new the mystery series of
sorrow. After the Passover meal Jesus went up to the Mount of Olives with his
disciples and there he prayed to his father, “If you will, Father, take this
cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done.”
(Lk 22:42) Why did Jesus make this prayer at this moment of extreme suffering?
For during his public ministry we find Jesus making the disciples aware of his
passion, death, and resurrection on the third day (Mk 8:31; 9:31; 10:33, 34)
and if someone goes against these predictions, he was corrected (Mt 16:23)
without any hesitation. Why then? Is it because of that Jesus was afraid of his
passion and death? Was he totally disappointed at this moment? Certainly not! One
who has declared that ‘his food is to do the will of the father and complete
his work,’ (Jn 4:34) will not be afraid or ashamed of sufferings and death. And
I do hope that it was not for him rather it was for each one of us who believe
in him and wants to follow his ways. For St. John says, “Whoever says that he
remains in union with God should live just as Jesus Christ did.” (1Jn 2:6) That
how Jesus faces this situation, would be an example and model for all his
believers. In the first mystery of luminous mysteries we have already seen that
Jesus received baptism from John, not because that he needed it but it was for
the fulfillment of all righteousness. (Mt 3:15) Here also Jesus does the same.
Before and after his prayer at Gethsemane we find that Jesus is exhorting his
disciples as to pray that they may not fall into temptation. (Lk 22:40, 46) He
had already warned them of what is going to happen to them, “I have told you
this, so that you will not give up your faith. You will be expelled from the Synagogue,
and the time will come when anyone who kills you will think that by doing this
he is serving God.” (Jn 16:1, 2) After the model of Jesus, am I ready to submit
myself to the will of God even at the moment of my suffering and death?
Prayer:
Oh Mary, mother
of sorrows! We come to you today for your special maternal help and protection.
Mary, our mother and guide; help us to understand the meaning and the
importance of suffering in our lives and submit ourselves to the will of God. In
this holy mystery we specially pray for all those who are afraid of sufferings
and problems in their lives. Let them understand that Jesus has answered well
to all the problems and questions of their lives and follow what Mother Mary
wants them do; ‘whatever Jesus tells them to do.’ (Jn 2:5) Amen!
Greetings:
Wish you all a nice and blissful Marian Monday!
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