Visit 22 Jesus Eucharistic The Prayer and Agony in the Garden

"The Holy Hour." ‘ I. Jesus in the Garden of Olives reproached His disciples that they could not watch one hour with Him (Matt. xxvi. 40).

II. Could He not still address the same reproach to us from the tabernacle?

III. Jesus desired His disciples to watch with Him and console Him in His sadness. In the Holy Eucharist He would have us watch with Him and console Him in His solitude. dddThe "Holy Hour" in the Gospel.
From the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter xxvi. 36-45.
Then Jesus came with them into a country place which he called Gethsemani, and 'He said to Hih disciple'*: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray. And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to grow sorrowful and to be sad. Then He saith to them: My soul is soiTowful even unto death: stay you here, and watch with Me. And going a little further, He fell upon His face, praying, and saying: My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from Me; nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt. And He cometh to His disciples, and findeth them asleep, and He saith to Peter: What I could you not watch one hour with Me? Watch ye, and pray that yo enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. dddAgain the second time He went, and prayed, say ing: Aly Father, if this chalice may not pass away but I must drink it, Thy will be done. And He comcth again, and findeth them sleeping: for their eyes were heavy. And leaving them, He went again, and He prayed the third time, saying the self-same word. Then He cometh to His disciples, and saith to them: Sleep ye now and take your rest: behold the hour is at hand, and the Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of sinners."

CONSIDERATIONS.
Behold Jesus goes forth from the supper chamber with His apostles. Whither is He going in the darkness of the night? He directs His steps towards Mount Olivet, passes over the Valley of Josaphat and the brook Cedron and now is ascending the side of the mountain and enters the Garden, of Gethsemani. Alas I our dear Lord knows well that the traitor apostle, assured that he will find Him in this garden, to which His divine Master is accustomed to retire for prayer, will bring the soldiers here, to deliver Him into their hands. dddI. Jesus takes with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, and passes farther on into the Garden of Olives, and begins to have fear, and to be sad, and exceedingly sorrowful. See, my soul, how thy divine Lord gives leave to fear, weariness, and affliction to come upon Him. How strange I The Man-God, Who is omnipotent, is afraid! He, Who desired so earnestly the time of His Passion, now is weary. He, Who is the Comforter of the afflicted, now is full of sorrow. Oh, the refinement of the charity of our divine Master 1 He. will suffer these things before I suffer them, and for love of me, that I may learn to suffer them for love of Him. He will never permit that I shall be overwhelmed by these passions to the degree that He was, but will make a way that I may escape. He, on the contrary, permits these pains to burst upon Him as a flood. And turning to His disciples He says: " My soul is sorrowful even unto death—stay ye here and watch with Me and pray that ye may not enter into temptation." He exhorts them to watch and pray. These are the two means I must employ, especially in time of temptation. I mus* watch over the affections of my heart, and ove? my senses, that the enemy who fights against me may not gain an inch of ground. I must moreover pray with diffidence in myself, putting my whole confidence in the grace of Jesus. Christ, which will always be given -in greater abundance to my prayer. But Our Lord Jesus doing violence to Himself withdraws from His disciples, falls upon His knees, and prostrates Himself with His face to the ground and prays. Thus He teaches me to pray with reverence. Now if He, Who is by nature innocence itself, prays in such a posture, what should sinners do? What shall I do when I pray? With all humility, which shall be shown externally, I will confess to my Lord that I am dust and ashes. I will accuse myself before my divine and tremendous Judge of the iniquities which have made me so deformed and abominable in His sight. dddII. Jesus makes to His Eternal Father. "My Fa ther," He says, "if it be possible let this chalice pass from Me; nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt " (Matt. xxvi. 39). What is It that Jesus asks in this prayer? He asks that the bitter chalice of His Passion may pass from Him. And why? Because He sees that after so abundant a redemption there will be innumerable souls Prayer and Agony in the Garden. 265 that by their malice will be lost. It is this, which more than His ignominies, pains, and death, afflicts the most loving heart of our Redeemer. One drop of His divine blood was enough to give satisfaction of an infinite merit to the justice of God for the sins of men, and He will shed His blessed blood to the last drop—yet, to His inexpressible grief, He sees that so many souls will not profit by their ransom and will be lost forever. Oh! who can comprehend the most cruel pain which the tender heart of Jesus suffers at the loss of so many souls? Jesus wishes all men to be saved: but He who will not glorify the Divine Mercy in heaven, will glorify the Divine Ji’stice in hell. And therefore Jesus adds, that not according to His will be it done, but according to the will of His most just Father. He, then, would be much mistaken, who should presume on security in trying as it were to make a compromise with God, and to draw His will to his own. See, my soul, with what resignation to the Divine Will thou must pray. Ask for what thou wouldst have, but remember in every request to imitate the resignation of thy divine Master saying: " Heavenly Father, not as I will; but Thy will be done." dddIII. Having made this prayer, Jesus rises, goes to to His disciples, and finds .them sleeping, and says to Peter: What! could you not watch one hour with Me? Watch yo and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. xxvi. 40, 41). 0 charitable solicitude of our divine Master I He interrupts His prayer, and although His heart is plunged in a sea of anguish, as if forgetting what He suffers, He is wholly occupied in comforting His disciples, and preparing them for temptation. Thus my heavenly Master teaches me, that neither for the afflictions that I feel nor for the desire of prayer, should I ever neglect works of charity, or be wanting in due vigilance in the care of those who are committed to me. Reflect well, 0 my soul, on the words which Jesus has said, and thou wilt find them full of holy instruction, First, they contain a just reproof which I have so often merited. Then, a command, in which is declared io me the necessity of prayer and watchfulness over my senses and affections. Lastly, a warning not to trust too much to myself lest I be betrayed by my passions, which in my members war against the spirit. But, above all, compassionate our dear Lord, Who in so great affliction has no one to speak to Him a word of comfort. dddIV. Jesus a second time retires to pray, say ing: "My Father, if it be not possible that this chalice pass except I drink it, Thy will be done " (Matt. xxvi. 42). Keep well in mind these last words, 0 my soul. These must be thy consolation whensoever thou findest thyself afflicted by any pain. Then remember thy divine Master, arid Prayer and Agony in the Garden. 261 after Ilis example recollect thyself in prayer, and with Him repeat to thy heavenly Father, "Thy will be done." Nor must thou be content with having recourse to prayer once only, but thou must imitate the perseverance of Jesus in His desolation. See how He returns to His disciples, and finds them sleeping, for their eyes are heavy, and they know not what to answer Him. He leaves them, therefore, and goes to pray for the third time, repeating the same words. But now behold He falls into an agony of grief, and prays yet more earnestly, and breaks out into a sweat of drops of blood, which run down upon the ground. Ah I we cannot comprehend the greatness of the grief and the cruelty of the torments which He will have to suffer until death, since the lively representation of them to the imagination beforehand makes Him fall into an agony and a sweat of blood. 0 Jesus, my Redeemer, 1 bless and adore Thy most precious blood, with which through the desire Thou hast of sufferings, Thou dost water the earth, even before Thine executioners shed it by the torments with which they put Thee to death. Grant, 0 my King, that 7 may imitate Thee as a faithful follower in Thy sufferings and humiliations. Give me grace to carry into effect the desire I entertain of suffering willingly with Thee and for the love of Thee, since Thou, my dear Savior, didst suffer foi me, that I might follow Thy example. dddV. My Lord Jesus lies prostrate with His face to the earth—He is in agony—and sheds in great abundance a sweat of blood. 0 most sorrowful sight! 0 eternal Father, do Thou give some comfort to the most sacred humanity of Thine Only Begotten, Who groans, and is in agony, and is sweating blood beneath the heavy load of the sins of others, which Thine innocent Son, through an excess of love, has taken upon Himself. But see! an angel appears from heaven to comfort Him— and what comfort can a creature give to the Creator? Oh, the humiliation of my Savior and my God I Learn, 0 my soul, to receive with humility comfort in thy. desolations, and advice in thy doubts, from him whom God has given thee to govern and direct thee in the way to heaven. The comforting angel says to Jesus that it is the will of the eternal Father, that He satisfy the Divine Justice for the sins of men. He shows Him the multitude of those who by His merits will be saved. He tells Him that the reprobate will glorify the Divine Justice as the elect will glorify the Divine Mercy. All which things although Jesus knows better than the angel, yet He listens with the greatest humility to His comforter, as the representative of His heavenly Father. And here we must reflect that the angel does indeed comfort but does not deliver my Redeemer from His Passion, which is at hand. And Prayer and Agony in the Garden. 269 I would ever be delivered from every suffering. Ah, my Lord Jesus! comfort me always by Thy grace in my sufferings, and I only ask Thee to be delivered from them when Thou seest that it is for the greater good of my soul. And how can I be so impatient of every trouble and sorrow, when I see my Savior in agony for me. He Who did no sin suffers for us sinners, that we being dead to sin may live to justice. How just it is then that I by interior and exterior penance satisfy the Divine Justice for my sins. Ah, yes, my most amiable Redeemer, trusting in Thy assistance I will make satisfaction to the justice of my God for the offences I have committed against it. Alas, how many they are, and how great I Yes, my sins are more in number than the hairs of my head, and in grievousness are as deserving of all hatred as the Sovereign Good against Whom I have offended is deserving of all love. 0 Infinite Goodness, I repent of ever having offended Thee I Would that my eyes were a fountain of tears, that I might weep for the many sins I have committed 1 0 my Jesus, make me a partaker of that intense grief that Thou didst feel for my ingratitude. Oh, that I could here die of pure contrition, prostrate at Thy feet, for having thus offended Thee! But since of Thy mercy Thou still dost preserve my life, I will satisfy the debt I owe to the Divine Justice by the mortification of my senses and by resignation to Thy divine will. Do Thou grant Thy blessing to this my resolution and make it effectual by Thj grace.

Our Lady of the Most Holy Sacrament, Mother and model of adorers, pray for us, who have recourse to thee.

St. Joseph, pray for us, that like thee, we may die in the arms of Jesus and Mary.


PRAYER TO THE HOLY GHOST
0 Holy Ghost, Thou Teacher and Sanctifier, Who givest light and strength to my soul, bless me that I may be more faithful to Jesus, my Savior and my God, Who is hidden in the Blessed Sacrament, and that I may love Him more and more. In the light of the tabernacle I ask of Thee, 0 Holy Spirit, to fill my heart with pure desire for Jesus, the Living Bread. Give me grace to adore Him with the zeal and humble ven­eration of the holy angels; grant that His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven, and that His will be done in my soul. Help me to thank Him for all His gifts, and, most of all, for Himself. By this Holy Sacrament He strengthens souls on earth, gives rest to souls in purgatory, and gladdens souls in heaven. He is the hidden manna, promised by Himself to all who overcome them­selves and love Him. May I taste the sweetness of Jesus! Set up more and more Thy kingdom in my soul, that I may keep my body under and bring it to subjection, lest I should be a castaway from Jesus and from Thee.

SPIRTUAL COMMUNION
0 Jesus, my Savior, Who art truly present in the Blessed Sacrament for the nourishment of our souls! since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, I humbly and earnestly beseech Thee to re­fresh me spiritually. I love Thee above all things and I desire to possess Thee within my soul. Come into my mind to illumine it with the light of heaven; come into my heart to enkindle therein the fire of Thy love. Unite me so intimately with Thee, that it may be no more I that live, but Thou that livest and reigneth in me forever.



FRUIT OF THE VISIT.
I. Behold Christ within thy heart as a most beautiful and most fruitful Vine: regard thyself as a branch drawing from it the sap of grace, by which thou mayest bring forth the leaves of pious words, the flowers of good desires, and the fruits of holy deeds (John xv. 5).

II. Desire out of love to labor ceaselessly, that thou mayest miss no opportunity of growing in grace; lest, when the Lord shall in vain have looked for fruit from thee, year after year, He shall command thee to be cut down, and cast into the fire (Luke xiii. 7).

III. Ask of thy Lord the virtue of unwearied "Watchfulness; " that, haring thy soul always in thy hands, thou mayest never cease from purifying it from vices and filling it with virtues (Ps. exviii. 109).

Aspiration.
a I sat down under His shadow, Whom I desired; and His fruit was sweet to my palate" (Cant. ii. 3).

EUCHARISTIC GEMS.
How pleasing are the meek of heart to the heart of Jesus! Yes, He loves hearts full of sweetness, who know hpw to hear affronts and injuries without resentment.—St. Alphonsus Liguori. dddAdoro te Devote Latens Deilas.
0 Godhead hid, devoutly I adore Thee,
Who truly art within the forms before me;
To Thee my heart I bow with bended knee,
As failing quite in comprehending Thee.
Jesu, eternal Shepherd, hear our cry; •
Increase the faith of all whose souls on Thee rely.
Sight, touch, and taste in Thee are each deceived,
The ear alone most safely is believed ;
I believe all the Son of God hath spoken,
Than Truth’s own Word there is no surer token.
Jesu, eternal Shepherd, etc.
God only, on the cross lay hid from view,
But here lies hid at once His manhood too;
And I, in both professing my belief,
The same prayer make a« the repentant tliir L
Jesu eternal Shephfrd, etc
Thy wounds, as Thomas saw, I do not see,
Yet Thee confess lay God and Lord to be;
Make me believe Thee ever more and more,
In Thee my hope, In Thee my love to store.
Jesu, eternal Shepherd, etc.
O thou memorial of Our Lord's own dying,
0 living Bread, to mortals life snpplying,
Make Thou my soul henceforth on Thee to live.
Ever a taste of heavenly sweetness give.
Jesu, eternal Shepherd, etc.
0 loving Pelican, 0 Christ my God I
Unclean I am, but cleanse me in Thy blood,
Of which a single drop for sinners spilt
Could ransom all the world from all its guilt.
Jesu, eternal Shepherd, etc.
Jesu, Whom for the present veil’d I see,
What I so thirst for, O vouchsafe to me.
That I may see Thy countenance unfolding,
And may be blest Thy glory in beholding.
Jesu, eternal Shepherd, etc.
St. Thomas Aquinas