Nicole Berlucchi, Writer on a Mission

Image used with permission of Tribe of Many Arrows.
Check them out on Etsy: TribeofManyArrows – Etsy.

For the month of October the “That We May Imitate What They Contain and Obtain What They Promise” series will take a daily look at one mystery of the Rosary and how we have the opportunity to imitate it and rejoice in what it promises us.

Today, we look at the first Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary: The Agony in the Garden

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” When he returned to his disciples, he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, my Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!” Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.” Matthew 26: 36-46 (NABRE)

The Sorrowful mysteries will challenge us to imitate Jesus in the midst of suffering, abandonment, struggle and more. Let’s look at the first Sorrowful Mystery where we find Jesus deep in prayer, making His petitions known, but also recognizing the will of the Father is most important. Let’s consider what we can learn from this mystery in Jesus’ life.

1. Seek companions and keep them close during heavy tasks you’ve been given and are taking to prayer. In the Agony in the Garden, Jesus shows us that you are not meant to be alone when facing large tasks, when sorrowful, when in distress. Even if friends cannot be with you in your task, keep them close—select a few to accompany you. Ask them to pray for you, to watch out for you, to be with you. Your companions may not be perfect, but they will be there. Their mere presence will bring some solace even if you feel abandoned by their inattentiveness. Continue like Jesus to let them know how much you need them. It’s so important that we recognize how we are designed to accompany one another through difficult times.
2. Don’t allow boredom or “falling asleep” keep you from keeping watch for Jesus. In our humanity, we often let dryness, boredom, and lack of “feelings” distract us from how important it is to being vigilant in our relationship with Jesus and carrying out the work He wishes to accomplish through us in this world. While God is in control of everything, He created us for a unique purpose. If we “fall asleep,” we will miss the opportunity to participate in the story of our Redemption. He is always perfecting us through all He invites us to in this life. We forget He has invited us to share in His glory in heaven and in order to do so we must be awake to all He needs from us here on earth.
3. Keep watch for one hour. Get to adoration or make space for prayer. I think a beautiful way to show up for Jesus is to give Him an hour of your adoration. When you are present with Him, take time to imagine the night of His agony, imagine Him going back to his disciples and finding them asleep, imagine how He felt—how it seemed they did not care how he was suffering and distressed. Tell Him how sorry you are that He had to endure that for you, tell Him how you wish you could’ve been present to comfort Him in His agony, how you wish your sins would not have caused such pain in His heart and soul. If you can’t get to adoration, do the same at home or another place where you can take time and space to be with the Lord and think about those moments where He was approaching His death.
4. Let God know what you desire, but also let Him know you are willing to do His will regardless of what you want. There are a number of things that come to mind as trials in this life: illness, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job and financial strain that follows, infertility, infidelity, and so much more. These trials often lead us to a crossroads, a decision about how we will move forward—hope vs. despair; with the Lord or without Him; selfishness or selflessness; reconciliation vs. resentment. God is ready for us to make our hearts known to Him, but He also desires for us to do His will, even when it feels very difficult, because He wants us to trust Him. Trust that He is working all the hard things for us to get to heaven. We need to trust Him.
5. Have courage even in the midst of trials and opposition. Just as God asks us to do His will, He hopes that we will do His will courageously rather than begrudgingly. He wants us to step out in faith and be obedient to all He reveals to us. It is not meant to be easy, but in our courage, God prepares our hearts for whatever is to come. He strengthens us with His strength counsels us with His wisdom. We might not see and understand what He has planned but we can trust that He works it for the good of all of us who love Him. He will show us glory. He will give us more than we could have imagined ourselves.

This mystery helps us grow in the fruits of contrition and obedience to the will of God. Jesus is the ultimate example of allowing God the Father to lead Him to His glory. He has total trust in God’s plan. In recognizing Jesus’ faithfulness in light of our own unfaithfulness, our sin, we are brought to our knees, needing forgiveness for the times we’ve fallen asleep in our lives and allowed our fears to overcome our courage. May our contrition strengthen our courage to accept and carry out God’s will as Jesus did.

Visit Tribe of Many Arrows on Etsy. These images are used with their permission, and I am grateful for these beautiful creations accompanying my reflections this month.

If you missed last week’s reflections, catch them here: Annunciation, Visitation, Birth of Jesus, the Presentation, and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple.