My Sisters and Brothers:
Today, as we observe Palm Sunday, we have the opportunity to reflect on the Gospel story of Jesus’ passion and death (see Matthew 26:14–27:66). Part of the story involves the account of the “agony in the garden of Gethsemane.” Accordingly, Jesus took his three closest Apostles, Peter, James and John, and he went into the garden to pray on the night before he was crucified and died. In the narration of this event, we recall the famous words of Jesus’ prayer to God the Father: “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” What’s also interesting about Gethsemane is Jesus’ appeal to the three disciples to “remain there and to keep watch with him.” We find he asks them to do this three times, but over and over he returns only to find them sleeping. Because of this, he chastised them saying: “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.”
Of course, we know the rest of the story. Those weak men who couldn’t stay awake to watch with Jesus would eventually lead the church after his resurrection and ascension into heaven. And eventually, Peter and James would endure brutal deaths as well because of their testimonies to the Lord Jesus. John, who was the only Apostle to die of old age, would devote his entire life to the writing of Scriptures and to the teaching about Jesus as the manifestation of God’s love. Those men may not have been able to stay awake and keep watch with Jesus in Gethsemane, but they certainly spent the rest of their lives watching and waiting for the day of the Lord. Their destinies became only possible after they would suffer through the events of Holy Week, endure persecutions for the sake of the Name of Jesus, and then give their whole lives in service to the Christian message.
Of course, we know the rest of the story. Those weak men who couldn’t stay awake to watch with Jesus would eventually lead the church after his resurrection and ascension into heaven. And eventually, Peter and James would endure brutal deaths as well because of their testimonies to the Lord Jesus. John, who was the only Apostle to die of old age, would devote his entire life to the writing of Scriptures and to the teaching about Jesus as the manifestation of God’s love. Those men may not have been able to stay awake and keep watch with Jesus in Gethsemane, but they certainly spent the rest of their lives watching and waiting for the day of the Lord. Their destinies became only possible after they would suffer through the events of Holy Week, endure persecutions for the sake of the Name of Jesus, and then give their whole lives in service to the Christian message.
The message for us is Jesus also wants us to stay awake, to watch and to wait for him for the duration of our own lives. He also recognizes our humanity, and welcomes us to follow him even though we are imperfect sinners. And so, let’s not forget even Peter denied he knew Jesus just a day after he fell asleep and failed to keep watch with him at Gethsemane!
Jesus asks us the same question he asked his Apostles: “Can you not stay awake for even a short time and keep vigil for me?” Oh, we may not literally be sleeping when he calls to us, but we might have “fallen asleep” to the responsibilities we have as his devoted followers. We may have “slacked off” with the obligations we have to give witness to him in this world. Our good intentions of discipleship may have been neglected, and we may have failed to live up to what we are called to be in this complicated world. And so Jesus says to us: “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.”
During the coming week, as we journey through these final days of Lent and enter into those special days called “the Passiontide,” we will recall the most poignant events of our Christian faith. All of these events are recounted in today’s Gospel. We remember all of the necessary events that occurred before Jesus’ glorious resurrection from the dead: We will recall his sharing of the “Last Supper” with his disciples, his prediction of the denial of Peter the Apostle, the account of Jesus’ “Agony in the Garden” of Gethsemane, the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, the arrest of Jesus by the servants of the chief priests and the elder, the interrogation of Jesus before Caiaphas the high priest, the tri-fold denial of Peter the Apostle, the despair of Judas the betrayer, the handing over of Jesus and his trial before Pilate the governor, the stripping, humiliation and mocking of Jesus by the Roman soldiers, the carrying of the cross, the crucifixion and death of Jesus, and his burial and the securing of the tomb by the guards. During these days we are challenged by our faith to keep watch and to stay awake with Jesus. These events made possible our salvation, and so let us “keep our eyes open” with anticipation and with respect!
My friends, although our “spirits may be willing, and our flesh may be weak” may we never close our eyes, and fall asleep to the responsibilities and obligations we have as followers of the Lord Jesus. Let’s diligently, and with great devotion, “watch and pray” with Jesus during these coming days, and throughout our entire lives. My sisters and brothers: Let’s always remain alert and be confident! Let’s “stay awake,” because the day of our Salvation is upon us!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
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