FIRST STATION
Jesus is in Agony in the Garden of Olives
V.Adoramus
te, Christe, et benedicimus tibi.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you.
R.Quia
per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum.
Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
From the Gospel according to Mk 14,32-36
And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them: "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch". And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said: "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will".
MEDITATION
The garden full of olive trees offers no comfort this night. It is sad to see that face pressed against the earth, it hurts to see the anguish that weighs upon his heart. The friends he chose for company are asleep, the same ones who promised: We shall always be with you, Jesus. Their promises are asleep too. A little while ago, Peter was boasting: Even if everyone runs away, I shall remain. But now he cannot even keep his eyes open. These last few steps Jesus had to walk alone. The long path of miracles and words, the path so full of people, has led him here: to a stony patch of ground and a solitude so immense that it terrifies. Face to the ground: nothing majestic about this scene, except the simplicity of a man who confesses: My soul is full of sorrow. The one who calmed the waters cannot give himself peace. The storm is the anguish that shakes him to the core, as it shakes millions of men and women, yesterday, today and tomorrow. The struggle can last a long time, and in this garden it ends only when the Son says to the Father: "Your will be done". A prayer that brings profound peace.
PRAYER
Jesus, you came to Gethsemane
full of anguish
and left with a heart resolute and at peace.
Comfort those who cry out in fear
or are troubled by doubt.
You experienced our weakness,
grant strength and hope
to all the dispirited of the earth.
You walk every day
with those weighed down by life's burdens,
walk beside each one of us, step by step.
To you, Jesus,
who fell to the ground, your face bathed in blood,
be honour and glory
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
world without end.
R.Amen.
All:
Pater noster, qui es in cælis:
sanctificetur nomen tuum;
adveniat regnum tuum;
fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cælo, et in terra.
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie;
et dimitte nobis debita nostra,
sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris;
et ne nos inducas in tentationem;
sed libera nos a malo.
Stabat mater dolorosa
iuxta crucem lacrimosa,
dum pendebat Filius.