Pray that you may not enter into temptation

 

 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him. 

 

- Luke 22:39–51 

 

Yesterday we read that, at the Last Supper, the Lord said, "Simon, Simon!  Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."  But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."  Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."  And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?"  So they said, "Nothing."  Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.  For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me:  'And He was numbered with the transgressors.'  For the things concerning Me have an end."  So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords."  And He said to them, "It is enough."

 

  Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."  My study Bible describes Christ's agony as the product of His human nature.  In asking that His cup be taken away, it says, Christ reveals His human will.  As Jesus submits His human will to the Father, He reveals His divine will to be one with the Father's, and moreover shows that each one of us must also submit our own will to God's will (see The Lord's Prayer, Luke 11:2).  Christ willingly takes in Himself the voice of weak humanity, and thereby conquers weakness.  My study Bible quotes Pope St. Gregory the Great:  "The words of weakness are sometimes adopted by the strong in order that the hearts of the weak may be strengthened."

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.   My study Bible tells us that this healing is recorded only by St. Luke the physician.  It shows the manner in which we are to treat our enemies.  In patristic commentary, it is noted that there is a spiritual meaning here, in that it is Christ who gives people the ability to hear the truth, and thereby come to salvation (see Luke 8:8; 14:35).

Jesus tells the disciples twice, during His agony, that they must pray:  "Pray that you may not enter into temptation," and again, "Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."  This is before and after His own time of deep prayer, sorrow, and agony, His spiritual struggle to do as He knows God the Father wills for Him.  Let us know how Jesus deals with this time of great struggle and temptation.   He prays:  "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  This struggle, in other words, He gives to the Father as well.  An angel appears and strengthens Him, yet such is His agony that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  This is natural, for what is more terrifying than the prospect of death?  What is more natural to a human being than to recoil from death itself?  And yet, Jesus is given this task by the Father; He is the One who will journey through death voluntarily, meeting death with His holiness in order to defeat death once for all, for all of us.  He will bring His presence even to this greatest "sting" of the evil one.  Christ is life Himself ("I am the way, the truth, and the life" - John 14:6), and in this journey and this mission, He will meet death and defeat it.  For He is life for all of us.  His very purpose is for the life of the world, and this will be achieved through His death on the Cross, and His Resurrection for us all.  But let us really pay attention to His teachings to the disciples.  He Himself needs prayer, and it is the one thing He counsels to the disciples, that they must pray so as to avoid falling into temptation.  Prayer remains for us the number one weapon we have in our lives.  It is not only for the avoidance of temptation, but so much more.  For Christ, who is life itself, is present with us in prayer.  When we pray, and repeat His name and call upon Him in prayer, we are asking Him to be with us in our lives and circumstances as well.  We are asking Him to help us to battle our temptations and help us in our struggles.  We are also asking Him to be present so that our own repentance becomes not simply a casting away of something that is improper or not good for us, but also so that we might change to become more like Him in the place of what we want to change.  He guides the way.  And this kind of prayer is what is involved in the process called "theosis" by the Orthodox.  That is, becoming more like Him, taking on the traits of the fruit of the Spirit.  In this kind of prayer, we allow Christ in to the deepest corners of the self, and we invite Him to help us to find ourselves -- the true nature that is created in God's image and likeness.  Poignantly, Jesus prays in a Garden, and He prays to overcome His own earthly nature to follow God, even as our earliest ancestors broke with God in a Garden once upon a time, and brought death into the world.  Jesus is in this garden, in agony, praying for Himself that He might follow God's will and complete His mission for all of us, for the life of the whole of the world, for all of creation, to restore us more fully to life as is promised, a life "more abundant" than what we know.  This process is available to us, as we pray and allow that prayer to dwell deep within us, and Christ to come and live there and work His grace and transforming power in us.  Sometimes we will also find ourselves in great struggle, like Him, even when we don't have the same challenges and can't possibly fill the same shoes.  But He has gone first, and so He is there for us, calling us forward in our own lives with our own crosses, so that we may be like Him and manifest His life for the world as well.  As we may experience our own agony, in the many forms and afflictions that may be characterized as death of one sort or another, let us remember that we are thereby also called to Resurrection in many ways -- to participate in His grace in this world and beyond.

 

 

And as many as touched Him were made well

 

 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased.  And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well. 

 

- Mark 6:47-56 

 

Yesterday we read that the apostles, having returned from their first apostolic mission, gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.  But the multitudes saw them departing and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities.  They arrived before them and came together to Him.  And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd.  So He began to teach them many things.  When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.  Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat."  But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat."  And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?"  But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have?  Go and see."  And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish."  Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.  So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.  And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.  So they all ate and were filled.  And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.  Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.  Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

 

  Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.  Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.  Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.  And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.  But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer!  It is I; do not be afraid."  Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. My study Bible notes that this is the second time Christ permits His disciples to be caught in a storm (see also this reading from chapter 4, for the storm that occurred on their way to the country of the Gadarenes).  That first time, He was with them, asleep in the stern of the boat.  This time, Jesus has remained behind, and was praying on the mountain (see yesterday's reading, above), while He sent the disciples back across the Sea of Galilee, alone.  My study Bible comments that in this way, Christ strengthens their faith that He will always be with them in the midst of the storms of life.  It is I is literally translated "I Am," which is the divine Name of God (see John 8:58, Exodus 3:14).  In this statement, my study Bible asserts, Christ is reminding His fearful disciples of His absolute and divine authority over their lives.  The fourth watch of the night is approximately three o'clock in the morning.

And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.  For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.  My study Bible comments that knowing Christ is a matter of the heart, not simply of the intellect.  When our hearts are illumined by faith in God, they are open to receive His presence and grace.  Let us think carefully about the word "faith."  In the Greek of the New Testament, it is a word that means "trust."  We therefore trust in Christ with our hearts, and this is akin to love, a loving relationship with one who has our best interest in heart.  In the ascetic writings of the Church, my study Bible reminds us, the heart is known as "the seat of knowledge."

 

 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.  And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.  Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.  And as many as touched Him were made well. My study Bible comments here that Christ permits miracles through touch to show that His very body is life-giving.  See also the woman with the years-long flow of blood, who touched His garment in faith in Mark 5:25-29.

If we take a look at this term, the land of Gennesaret, the name significantly tells us something which can relate to the text.  In Christ's time, this was an exceptionally fertile plain, producing a great variety of crops for consumption and also wild trees and flowers.  According to the Encyclopedia of the Bible, rabbinical tradition spoke of this plain as "the garden of God: and a "paradise."  Moreover, the first syllable of Gennesaret likely comes from a word that means "gardens," with a name attached.  Some suggest its Hebrew roots may mean "princely gardens."  Whatever the correct etymology of this word, it seems likely that this tremendous flowering of Christ's ministry that happens here gives us a picture of the "garden" of Christ, our Lord.  Because of the great power of His work to heal that is on display, especially because of the faith of those who run to Him, we view the fullness of what His salvation is and means.  Earlier, Jesus spoke of Himself to the Pharisees as a Physician (see this reading from chapter 2).  When confronted by them as to why He sat at table with sinners and tax collectors, He simply replied, ""Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."   Therefore we are to understand that Christ's identity and Physician, and this work of healing -- on all levels -- is central to the understanding of salvation, of the very meaning and purpose of the Incarnation.  If all of this healing takes place in this "princely garden" of God, a sort of paradise on earth, then we are to think of our faith and the work of Christ -- indeed the work of grace through the Holy Spirit -- as that which is healing.  Repentance also is central to this work, because repentance is necessary for change and forward movement in the direction of God.  The New Testament Greek word translated as "repentance" literally means "change of mind," and this change of mind that happens through the help of grace and the work of God, and needs our assent and faith, is a healing work.  It is a healing that affects the soul and all the part of who we are in turn, on all levels.  We read the quotation Jesus gives from Isaiah, when He explains to the disciples why He speaks in parables, and it tells us, "Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed" (Isaiah 6:10, referenced in Matthew 13:14-16).  Our growth in faith, our deepening reconciliation to God through this work of transformation and grace, is indeed the work of healing.  Ultimately it is our souls and spirits which are healed, but this in turn affects body, mind, emotions, and the fullness of life.  For if we are healed in faith, we rest in a kind of love and security that feeds everything else, and we receive the kind of internal healing that knits us together where we are broken, surpassing what a normal physician can do for us.  There is no doubt, in terms of scientific and medical literature, what the effects of stresses are in our lives, and faith goes directly to this level of the heart, the center of our being.  For, as my study Bible points out and the ancient tradition of the Church tells us, the heart is a matter of much more than simply an intellectual decision.  It is a place of noetic discernment and understanding, a deep center within us that links us to the grace of God.  Let us consider the importance of trust and of all of its implications.  When we read about this place of "paradise" and "princely gardens" we should remember in whose garden we wish to be, the great Physician who has what we need for our deepest ailments.   In yesterday's reading, foretelling of the Eucharist, Jesus fed five thousand men -- and more women and children -- in a deserted place, multiplying meager resources.  Let us consider that He us in ways He deems necessary for ongoing healing and growth, nurturing all that we are -- especially the way we experience and see ourselves in this world.  In times which document growing rates of anxiety and depression, the way we find healing is most important, and can have the greatest impact on our lives.

And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground

 

 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."  

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.  Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

 

- Luke 22:39-53 

 

On Saturday, Jesus was speaking to the disciples at the Last Supper, after they ate the Passover.   The Lord said, "Simon, Simon!  Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."  But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."  Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."  And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?"  So they said, "Nothing."  Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.  For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me:  'And He was numbered with the transgressors.'  For the things concerning Me have an end."  So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords."  And He said to them, "It is enough."

 

 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."    My study Bible says that Christ's agony was the product of His human nature.  In asking that the cup be taken away, He reveals His human will.  By submitting His human will to the Father, Christ reveals His divine will to be one with the Father's.  Moreover, this shows that each person must submit one's own will to God's will (Luke 11:2).  My study Bible adds that Christ willingly takes in Himself the voice of weak humanity, and thereby conquers weakness.  It quotes St. Gregory the Great:  "The words of weakness are sometimes adopted by the strong in order that the hearts of the weak may be strengthened."

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.  Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."  The healing of the ear of the servant of the high priest is recorded only by St. Luke the physician, my study Bible notes.  It says that this indicates the manner in which we are to treat our enemies.  The patristic commentaries indicate a spiritual meaning here in that it is Christ who gives people the ability to hear the truth, and thereby come to salvation (see Luke 8:8; 14:35).  Regarding the power of darkness, see John 3:19-21; 13:30.

 

Verse 44 describes Jesus' tremendous pain, His agony:  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  In a recent video made while visiting the garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem, Jonathan Pageau views these elements as reminders of Christ's Crucifixion, that His blood will be spilled as is described here.  According to John's Gospel, when a sword pierces His side, blood and water will come out  (John 19:34).  But of course, Christ's very human side is responding to what He knows is coming.  It is interesting that before that, Christ prays that God's will be done:  "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done."  We are allowed to witness the wrestling going on within Himself, between His human and divine wills.  And then we're told, after this prayer, that then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. So as Luke invites us in to witness this extremely personal moment, we are experiencing what Christ experienced, and as He experienced it.  Note the tussle and the tug of war.  Before the prayer, Jesus told His disciples, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  So Christ's experience in the garden, begins with His warning to the disciples, an admonition that they must pray that they may not enter into temptation.  Then He Himself withdraws in order to pray, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done."    Then, after He has made this plea, this commitment that despite His human desire that the cup be taken away, He commits voluntarily to God's will -- and then an angel appears in order to strengthen Him.    At that point, this struggle then draws Him into agony, and He prays even more fervently.  All of this is a model for us, so that we understand what prayer is and what spiritual battle is.  For this is an agony of battle for Jesus, and it is an agony of the deepest part of temptation.  He is struggling against every human instinct we have for self-preservation, and no doubt against fears of what will become of His disciples and the legacy of His ministry.  One might simply imagine all of the million and one doubts that would assail any normal human being.  But Christ models for us what our own struggles are going to be about.  Step by step, we're given to understand that we need to pray in order to battle temptation, that we need to withdraw so that we focus and concentrate on prayer when we can, giving it our all.  Note also that He asks the disciples, His friends, to pray as well.  But this struggle is visceral, real, it is not easy nor simple.  And it is indeed a struggle.  Even after Jesus has made the decision, prayed "not My will, but Yours, be done," even after an angel has responded to strengthen Him, then His agony comes.  But, as He has said, the ruler of this world has nothing in Him (John 16:33).  Let us note that we also may experience the same strengthening from spiritual forces that aid us in response to our choices, even when we are in the middle of a struggle -- and that we may still experience further pain and temptation to turn back from our choice to find God's will despite our choice to face the hardships that may come in so doing.  This is the struggle.  This agony in the garden is the description of a deep spiritual struggle, and the formula and model we're given for prayer and spiritual assistance.  We may not all be the One who is destined to lead this mission of Christ, who liberates all through the means of the Cross, but nonetheless on some levels we may also experience the same struggles, and so we should take the same cautions, guidance, and knowledge with us that we're given here in this glimpse of Him that is so personal.  We pray so as not to enter into temptation.  In prayer we make the choice and commitment for what God is asking of us, and while we are strengthened, we may yet fully feel the visceral and very human experience of that struggle, an agony that is as real as anything else with which we might struggle in life.  Let us go forward in understanding that Christ was not spared the struggle, and neither are we when we choose to commit to our faith.  Jesus teaches us what it is to face and experience this hour, and the power of darkness.  But nonetheless, despite the struggle, we will come to enter into His peace and His joy in so doing -- for there is where we reap the harvest of faith.  In this case, it is the eternal sign of Christ that saves and liberates and sets us free from from the slavery of the one who would bring us pain in all its forms.  He has overcome the world -- for us.

 

  

What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches

 

 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like?  And to what shall I compare it?  It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."  And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?  It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.  Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?"  And He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I will say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.  When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.'  But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from.  Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.'  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.   They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.  And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."

 

- Luke 13:18-30 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.  And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.  But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity."  And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.  But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day."  The Lord then answered him and said, "Hypocrite!  Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?  So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound -- think of it -- for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"  And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

 

 Then He said, "What is the kingdom of God like?  And to what shall I compare it?  It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.  And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?  It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."  My study Bible comments that in Palestine, the mustard plant grows to a height of about ten feet.   It notes that the mustard seed and the leaven represent the disciples.  According to Theophylact, they began as just a few men, but "soon encompassed the whole earth."  These also stand for faith which enters a person's soul, which causes an inward growth of virtue.  This soul may become godlike and can receive even angels (the birds of the air).

 

 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.  Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?"  And He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I will say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able."   In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus contrasts the narrow gate of salvation with the wide gate and broad way that leads to destruction.  This description of the two ways was widespread in Jerusalem, my study Bible comments (Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1: Proverbs 4:18-19, 12:28, 15:21; Sirach 15:17), and also figures prominently in early Christian writings (Didache, Barnabas).  Luke's version, in today's reading, is the more eschatological, and refers to the end of the age.  Because we wrestle against sins and human weakness, as well as spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12), entering the Kingdom is the more difficult way.  

When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.'  But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from.  Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.'"  My study Bible comments here that neither verbal confessions ("Lord, Lord"), nor sacramental experiences ("We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets") avail anything unless we also do the works of faith (see Luke 6:46-49).  

"There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.   They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.  And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last."   We see the clear eschatological reference to Judgment.  My study Bible cites Theophylact, who sees the first who becomes last as not only faithless Jews, but those in the Church who "from infancy have put on Christ and have been taught the Word, but who become last by transgressing against it."

In the middle of eschatological warnings about the time we have in our lives before we all face Judgment, Jesus gives us two famous parables about the Kingdom.  One of them is similar to the agricultural parables He gives, about the growth of a tremendous shrub, with all kinds of potentials (including providing a home for birds of the air, akin to angels), that grows from the tiniest of mustard seeds.  In the middle of warnings about what can go wrong when we're on the wrong path, Jesus gives us a couple of examples about how the path of the Kingdom works.  It's like the tiniest mustard seed -- the tiniest bit of faith or trust in God -- that has the capability for tremendous growth.  In today's reading, there is the very important theme about the "two ways."  One way is narrow and difficult, and this is the way of the Kingdom.  The other way (as described in the similar passage from Matthew) is broad and wide.  But if we take this "gardening" metaphor a little ways, in the theme of the mustard seed, we can see for ourselves how we need to tend our own garden of this narrow and difficult way.  To make a garden fruitful, to grow sturdy bushes with beautiful flowers and branches, takes vigilance.  We have to find ways that shoo off the pests without harming the good growth and potential of the mustard plant.  We need to trim it when it needs trimming, and remove the dead growth that takes up the energy of the plant.  We need to make sure it's nurtured with water and good soil, assisting that soil and its nutrients at regular intervals -- and we also need to weed out the plants that might harm the good growth we want.  This is similar to the narrow and harder way than the broad way of easy access where anything goes.  Then there is the parable of the leaven, which also teaches us about the "little bit" of faith we need -- and to allow that to permeate the rest.  If we extend this leaven metaphor to the garden, we know what beautiful things can come from effort that is continual, work that tends and nurtures, and does not give up nor allow things to go to seed.  This is the work that needs doing continually, the fruitful way we use the time of our lives as good servants and stewards of what we're given.  We stick with what we need to do, and let go of what is not our concern, not part of this narrow path.  Jesus gives stark warnings once again (as He has in the past several readings) about how we use the limited time of our lives, and the extreme consequences of neglect.  Let us use our time as we would in tending a good garden, being vigilant, and remembering what we are to be about.  This is what it is to be a good steward, to remember what it is the Master asks of us, and to be His good servants. 

 

But this is your hour, and the power of darkness

 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who has come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house.  But Peter followed at a distance.  Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.  And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him."  But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."  And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them."  But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"  Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."  But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!"  Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

- Luke 22:52-62

On Saturday we read that, coming out from the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."  And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who has come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."  What is the power of darkness?  My study bible cites passages from John:  3:19-21 and 13:30.  The first speaks of the choices we make:  do we prefer the darkness or the light?  What we know to be good and worthy and truthful, or otherwise?  The second is about the betrayal of Judas, and him setting out after the Last Supper to betray Christ.  If we look carefully here, Jesus names the great lie in this scene.  They have come after Him as if He is a robber, while His deeds were done in truth and in light, teaching daily in the temple -- where they were afraid to seize Him in front of all the people.

Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house.  But Peter followed at a distance.  Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.  And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, "This man was also with Him."  But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."  My study bible says that this scene of a girl as the first person to test Peter is an icon of the temptation of Adam by Eve (Genesis 3:6).  But the Gospels teach us another story in Christ -- that it is women who are the first to hear, believe, and proclaim the Resurrection (24:1-10).

And after a little while another saw him and said, "You also are of them."  But Peter said, "Man, I am not!"  Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean."  But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying!"  Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."  So Peter went out and wept bitterly.  My study bible notes here that Peter is so overcome with fear that neither Christ's prediction at the Last Supper (verse 34) nor the crowing of the rooster calls him to repentance.  Only the Lord's gaze causes him to weep bitterly.  But St. Ambrose of Milan writes, nevertheless, that "through tears, what cannot be defended can be purged, for tears wash away the offense which is shameful to confess out loud."

The power of darkness:  what is it?  Unusually for the Gospels, all of the events in today's reading take place in the darkness, even under cover of darkness.  The betrayal (with a kiss) by His disciple, Judas, takes place under cover of darkness.  Christ uses His one weapon, His word, to declare that they have come out under cover of darkness, as against a robber, with swords and clubs -- when He was daily teaching in the temple openly.  Such an act requires darkness:  not only is there a lie in the act itself, but these men feared the people and their response to such an injustice and public outrage, and so act under the cover of the night.  And then there is the scene of Peter in the courtyard, also by night.  While an illegal "night court" session goes on inside, Peter waits outside in the courtyard of the house of the high priest. Peter follows at a distance, and has come this far.  But the questions of a servant girl, and others around the fire, unnerve him, and he denies knowing Christ at all.  As my study bible points out, it's only after a glance from Christ (whom presumably Peter sees from outside) that Peter remembers Jesus' prediction that he will deny Him three times before the crowing of the rooster.  My study bible gives us a quotation about darkness from John's Gospel.  Here it is in full:  "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God" (John 3:19-21).  This quotation is about judgment, and judgment has been a strong theme in these last days of Christ's ministry.  We remember that Christ also is the light, His truth is the light.  This truth establishes a strong call for a choice.  Has Jesus done evil?  Has He done good?  What has He taught?  Is He like a robber that they arrest Him in this manner?  But the questions go much deeper than that in today's reading.  Peter also hides under cover of darkness, in a sense.  What has he got to be ashamed of, to hide?  Why does he deny he knows Christ?  This is a shadow of darkness of a different kind, and one that lets us know the complicated nature of the world in which we live, and how we are to negotiate our lives through it.  Only Christ's glance reminds us of the true light that is always there, and always sees.  And it is there, in that glance, that Peter knows and goes to weep bitter tears of repentance.  It is most deeply in this personal relationship that we find ourselves face to face with a truth from which we can't hide.  When we come face to face with the true light, from which nothing escapes, we come face to face with ourselves, what we've done or chosen, how we can do better, and the things of which we need to repent.  It's in that great gaze of pure light and pure love that we find the strength to be truly honest, to know repentance not as a thing of shame but rather as a thing that cleanses and makes us stronger.  It is in that light that we find a humility that only makes us fuller, bigger, deeper, healthier, better.   Whatever else goes on in the world, it is in His light that we see light, that all can come to light -- because His light and truth is also perfect love.  When we forget that, we lose who we are and can be to darkness that has no substance and only seeks to take away the gifts of grace.

Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?

 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.

- Luke 22:39-51

Yesterday we read that at the Last Supper, the Lord said to Simon Peter, "Simon, Simon!  Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."  But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."  Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."  And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?"  So they said, "Nothing."  Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.  For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me:  'And He was numbered with the transgressors.'  For the things concerning Me have an end."  So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords."  And He said to them, "It is enough."

 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."   We remember that Jesus stays in Jerusalem as a pilgrim among other pilgrims, here on the Mount of Olives.  He has warned His disciples about what is coming, telling them (in yesterday's reading, above), "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat."  Jesus' own words to the disciples tell us what we must be doing at all times of stress, difficulty, and temptation for our best protection.

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.   My study bible tells us that Christ's agony was the product of His human nature.  When He asks that the cup be taken away, He reveals His human will.  As He submits His human will to the Father, Christ reveals His divine will to be one with the Father's.  But He further shows that each person must submit his own will to God's will (11:2).   Christ willingly takes in Himself the voice of weak humanity, says my study bible, and thereby conquers weakness.  "The words of weakness are sometimes adopted by the strong in order that the hearts of the weak may be strengthened" (Pope St. Gregory the Great).

When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."  In some sense, Luke shows us more about the strength of Christ, and also His aloneness -- even the disciples sleep.  Enforcing the message about times of struggle and strain, Jesus tells them again, "Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."  That is good advice for all of us.

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.  Once again, the depth of betrayal is emphasized when we are told by Luke repeatedly that Judas was one of the twelve.  To be betrayed with a kiss emphasizes the level of betrayal even further, and Jesus' question is yet another attempt to save Judas.  My study bible says that the healing of the high priest's ear is recorded only by St. Luke the physician.  It indicates that this is the manner in which we are to treat our enemies.  Church Fathers see a spiritual meaning in that it is Christ who gives people the ability to hear the truth and thereby come to salvation (see 8:8; 14:35).

What do we see in Jesus' healing of the ear of the servant of the high priest?  First of all, we must understand Jesus' actions in the context of His own mission.  He accepts what is about to happen, and His own undergoing of the Passion, as that which the Father asks of Him.  He submits His will to the Father's will, even though as human being His natural impulse is otherwise.  But that doesn't mean that those who participate in implementing His persecution and suffering do something good or have made a good choice.  As He said in Wednesday's reading, "Truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!"  But in all things and in all ways, Jesus' conduct reflects that which is asked of Him by God the Father.  There is to be no violence, no resistance.  That is not part of the plan by which He is to carry out His mission.  He does not form a resistance army, nor is He in any way a Messiah who has shown desire to be a worldly king with an empire.  He carries out His duties with the fullness of fidelity to faith, and to the humility He has expressed and shown His disciples.  But there is a key to our understanding in His words at the Last Supper.  In Thursday's reading, the disciples argue with one another as to who would be greatest in His kingdom, supposing, we might imagine, that Christ has indicated a worldly kingdom is imminent.  Jesus explains to them that as He is a servant, so the greatest among them must be servant to all.  But then He suddenly tells them, "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.  And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."  To bring judgment into the world is simply to live out our faith.  The disciples are the ones who have continued with Him in His trials, in faith.  Jesus is consistent in His faith and fidelity to the Father.  In healing the ear of the servant, He is acting in accordance with His mission, and the conduct He must bear as servant to the Father and to all of us, expressing the fullness of faith.  And in this action is judgment.  The time He initiates, the period in which we live now, is a time of judgment, to be culminated at His return.  We, who would be His disciples, must also conduct ourselves with the fullness of our faith, for only in this is true testimony given, and truthful judgment rendered.  Jesus does nothing to provoke, nothing to indicate He wishes to usurp worldly power.  He is here on a mission, and it is one of redemption and spiritual liberation for all of us.  He is true in all ways and through all things to that mission, and by doing so, He becomes the supreme witness for Judgment.  He acts in complete freedom, and helps us to the same.  He gives testimony, as we must do who follow Him.  And this is the one way true judgment can happen in the world, true testimony.  Let us endeavor to be like Him and to participate in His life and His mission, each in our own ways.  Let us understand Him and pray that we know our own mission, the will of the Father for us, and forbear and persist in His mission of liberating salvation, like Him.

Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation

 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.

- Luke 22:39-51

Yesterday we read that Christ warned, "Simon, Simon!  Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."  But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."  Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."  And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?"  So they said, "Nothing."  Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.   For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me:  'And He was numbered with the transgressors.'  For the things concerning Me have an end."  So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords."  And He said to them, "It is enough."

Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."  My study bible says that Christ's agony is the product of His human nature.  In asking that the cup be taken away, He reveals His human will.  He submits His human will to the Father, and thereby reveals the divine will to be one with the Father's -- He also shows that each person must submit his own will to God's will (Luke 11:2).  In His Incarnation Christ willingly takes in Himself the voice of weak humanity, and thereby conquers weakness, says my study bible. Gregory the Great is quoted here:  "The words of weakness are sometimes adopted by the strong in order that the hearts of the weak may be strengthened."   We also note His repeated admonition to the disciples in this deep time of trial:  "Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."   We observe the human weakness in the disciples, His companions, as they sleep because of sorrow. 

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.  My study bible points out that this healing by Christ is recorded only by St. Luke the physician.  It shows the manner in which we are to treat our enemies.   The Fathers, it says, see a spiritual meaning in the healing of the servant's ear, in that it's Christ who gives people the ability to hear the truth and thereby come to salvation (see Luke 8:8, 14:35).  It's seems that Jesus' words, "Permit even this," may be for forgiveness of the violence of the sword, something He didn't want.

As we observe Christ in this situation, it's important that we understand our conduct in the face of evil.  The greatest evil is happening:  He's been betrayed by His hand-chosen disciple Judas, one of the Twelve.  He's going to be put to death as a great criminal, on trumped up charges for the cause of envy by the leadership.  But His command is that He go willingly into this time of terrible injustice and extraordinary sin.  God walks through the evil of our world and becomes its "victim."  It is a voluntary sacrifice for reasons far beyond the understanding of those who perpetrate the crime.  And we note that the redemption of the Cross does not deny the evil or take away the reality of the evil; it overcomes.  It is God's purpose that uses everything for good, for the triumph of the spiritual truth.  But again, let's go to this scene and observe Jesus:  He's struck with His own sort of "conflict" -- the difference between the human and the divine, but as our example, submits to the will of the Father.  We can all see ourselves in this conflict in Christ.  Sometimes the things we're led to don't seem to make any sense in worldly terms, but we are to "go there" anyway.  Often we'll be asked to make sacrifices we don't want to make, but we "go there" anyway.  His words and His teaching to the disciples, to His friends who fall away in sleep and don't stay awake with Him this night, are to "rise and pray."  This again is an example for us in times of trial and evil.  It's how we're supposed to respond in our own times of trial, or observation of evil around us.  Often "bad things" may trouble us in the middle of the night; His solution to "rise and pray" is a good one, until peace returns.  And we pray "lest we enter into temptation" -- so that we are guided into the right way of response in such times.    This becomes extremely important at those times.   Jesus then responds to Judas with a question:  "Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" giving him yet another chance for repentance and salvation.  He is always healing, always offering the gospel.   No matter what is happening, Jesus sticks to spiritual truth.  He's not to respond with violence of any kind, He doesn't amass a worldly army for this kingdom, and he heals the ear of the servant of the high priest.  Throughout all the trials and temptations, the fear of what will happen with His disciples, Jesus sticks to the will of the Father.  He knows His mission and He will stay with it.  To watch and pray is to do our best to stay on point, on mission, to know the commands we're given.  Let us remember how He responds in times of trial, and how He teaches us to be.  Let us do likewise.

This is your hour, and the power of darkness

 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.  Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

- Luke 22:39-53

On Saturday, we read that Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, Simon!  Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."  But he said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death."  Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."     And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?"  So they said, "Nothing."  Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.  For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me:  'And He was numbered with the transgressors.'  For the things concerning Me have an end."  So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords."  And He said to them, "It is enough."

 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."  And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."  My study bible says that Christ's agony here is the product of His human nature.  "In asking that the cup be taken away, He reveals His human will.  By submitting His human will to the Father, Christ reveals His divine will to be one with the Father's, and further shows that each person must submit his own will to God's will (11:2).  Christ willingly takes in Himself the voice of weak humanity, thereby conquering weakness:  'The words of weakness are sometimes adopted by the strong in order that the hearts of the weak may be strengthened' (St. Gregory the Great)."  We have to note also the repeated emphasis on prayer; it's not only essential to Jesus, but to all of the apostles.  It's a time of testing, and for that prayer is absolutely indispensable to their lives and what they are going through.  "Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation" is a warning to all of us at times of our own stress and difficulty.

And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.  But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"  When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"  And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, "Permit even this."  And He touched his ear and healed him.  Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me.  But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."  We note once again there is a chance for Judas to confess and repent before Christ, and Jesus explicitly opens the door for this before Judas can speak or act.  Of the healing of the high priest's servant, my study bible comments that this particular healing is only recorded by St. Luke the physician.  It says, "It indicates the manner in which we are to treat our enemies.  The Fathers see a spiritual meaning in that it is Christ who gives people the ability to hear the truth and thereby come to salvation (see 8:8; 14:35)."   Even here we note Jesus' boldness in speaking.  In the night, away from the crowds in the temple who love to hear Jesus speak, they come to take Him as if He were a robber (see Saturday's reading, in which Jesus said that the Scripture would be fulfilled:  "He was numbered with the transgressors" - Isaiah 53:12).   And they will crucify Him between two criminals (or literally "evil-doers"), as Luke will put it (23:32).   It is "their hour, and the power of darkness," for which we all need prayer as our greatest true weapon.  Regarding darkness, my study bible gives us two references from the Gospel of John:  3:19-21 and 13:30. 

 Let us think about darkness, and what it is to experience a particular hour, and the power of darkness that comes with it.  I have experienced such times.  Darkness is first of all ignorance; the power of evil is in this ignorance, and it is sometimes experienced as a deliberate ignorance.  That is, a time when people deliberately ignore what they already know, what they have been taught.  It's a potent form of lying, often accompanied by envy, and the kind of competition that allows for mercilessness.  That's a very dangerous time, and it is - as Jesus indicates in His instructions to the disciples - a time when we really need to be wary of temptation, as we try to stay on the right path in the midst of it.  It's a time for which only the power of prayer becomes the sword that we need, the truth that we need to find so that we make our way through it without being scathed or damaged by the temptations that are present.  We're all going to experience weakness and temptation in times of great stress, when we don't necessarily have an answer for the full scenario in which we may be caught up, which is playing out all around us and in our lives.  We can only stay in the moment and try to stay with Him, be strengthened in prayer whether we are by ourselves and alone, or also if we have the resources to call upon for support (church, friends, and the whole communion of saints we pray with and to as requests for such aid and assistance in prayer).   Sometimes we need all the help we can get, all the strength we can get, but our basic weapon for that is prayer whether we have others praying with us or not (besides Father, Son and Spirit).  I think there is a kind of degree of darkness that can be experienced at different times.  In this case in which Jesus is seized here in the dark in the garden, we have "an hour" of real, intense darkness.   They will take Him to a night court, which is an illegal procedure under their own laws.  He will be charged illegally, with all kinds of phony witnesses, without being allowed to speak in His own behalf or call witnesses of His own, and despite the fact that they all know what His ministry has been and what He has openly taught every single day in the temple since His arrival in Jerusalem.  They will take Him also to the Romans, a governor who will wash His hands of the mess although he finds Jesus innocent, leaving the decision to the crowds who've been stirred up by these leaders.  All of this against their own rules, the rules and laws of these religious leaders who are supposed to be the guardian of such laws and traditions.  This is not just darkness that comes with a slight temptation, but the greatest darkness of total ignorance imposed against the things they know, and know well.  It is a time of turning their backs, their eyes and ears, and hearts against the Scriptures for which they are meant to be the experts and guardians.  Above all, the darkness here is against God, against the works that have been done with holy power in Jesus' ministry, against the Spirit who has spoken through the prophets (as the Creed tells us).  This is the power of darkness, and it is ignorance -- a truly deliberate, hard-hearted ignorance, a giving in to ignorance of God and ignorance of the things of God.  Therefore let us observe that who know better, who have been given so much of the grace of God (such as we who have come later and been given the benefits of centuries of faithful) are thereby subjected to the greatest temptations of darkness, because it is a deliberate evil in which one turns one's back on the things of God that have been revealed.  In Saturday's reading, my study bible commented that the testing of Peter will be greatest, because his faith is the stronger.  Let us take it all to heart and remember the power of prayer, the temptation we are all subject to in times of darkness, great or small.  It's Jesus' warning to His apostles, it is His practice, and it remains His teaching for us today.  Especially in times of uncertainty, where the greatest darkness may blindside us so that we can't see clearly a way, nor know by thinking beforehand what it is we must do, how to react.  It's the time that darkness may stun us with its unexpected depth and outrage.  This is that hour for the disciples.  And it can happen to any one of us.  That's the time we must stay most firmly with Him.  Prayer is our mindfulness. 

Whomever I kiss, He is the One

 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.  Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely."  As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.  Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.  And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.  Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?  I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me.  But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."  Then they all forsook Him and fled.

Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body.  And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

- Mark 14:43-52

In yesterday's reading, Jesus said to His disciples, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:  'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'  But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."  Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be."  Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."  But he spoke more vehemently, "If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!"  And they all said likewise.  Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane, and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray."  And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.  Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.  Stay here and watch."  He went a little farther, and 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 for You.  Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will."  Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping?  Could you not watch one hour?  Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.  And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.  Then He came the third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting?  It is enough!  The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us be going.  See, My betrayer is at hand."

  And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.  Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely."  As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.  Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.  And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.  Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?  I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me.  But the Scriptures must be fulfilled."  Then they all forsook Him and fled.  My study bible says, "The fact that a signal, the kiss is needed here is a commentary on the kind of people who make up the mob that has come to take Jesus.  Had the chief priests, the scribes and the elders come, they would have recognized Him. Even most of the common people would recognize Him.  But these are armed Jewish servants, usually confined in the temple area to maintain order under the authority of the chief priests.  According to John 18:3, a band of Roman soldiers collaborated with them."

 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body.  And the young men laid hold of him, and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.  My study bible tells us that "there is some conjecture that this young man who fled naked is the Apostle John.  Another tradition holds the young man is Mark himself.  The latter view would explain why the incident is mentioned by him, but with no name given -- a traditional way of talking about oneself."

Why this betrayal?  Why the kiss?  I think it's important that we understand, once again, our very human Savior's experience of His life in this world.  He's known all the things that we know, all the disappointments that life can hold.  Surely there can be no more bitter experience than this one, in which one of His own chosen apostles betrays Him with a kiss.  We've perhaps all known moments of abandonment and betrayal by the ones we've trusted and treated well, by the ones whom we consider a part of "our own."  Our Savior is no stranger to the troubles that we go through, to the very most hurtful things in life.  We know of His physical suffering, but psychology would ask us to envision, also, His emotional suffering and pain that He went through, and to understand that whatever we go through in life, He's no stranger to that as well.  In fact, He's been there before us.  Abandonment issues, psychology would tell us, are among the most difficult of psychological hurdles to face and to cope with, and yet we see Jesus' demeanor.  While He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, in yesterday's reading, we saw how He faced what He was about to go through:  by putting it all in the Father's hands.  And the way in which He spoke to the Father wasn't to a distant, formal, forbidding God of awesome and fearsome power, but before "Abba" -- Daddy, Papa.  Ultimately, Jesus' trust is in the Father.  And there is a great lesson for us.  When we go through abandonments and betrayals, there is One in whom we may continue to put our trust through all things.  In fact, Jesus' abandonment and betrayal assures us that God knows what we suffer and how we suffer.  God knows what we go through in life that breaks our hearts, that lets us down, that teaches us -- if we would let it -- not to believe that love or trust in anything is really possible.  But there really is always one place we can go, and one place in which we can trust, and that is in prayer, in talking with God, with Christ.  The fact that Jesus has been through it all before we do means that we are never alone; we are always with One who understands and has voluntarily come there with us already.  Mark's Gospel paints us a picture of Jesus as Savior, the One who comes to rescue us from the bonds of the prince of this world who afflicts and causes suffering and pain.  His presence with us is His message of salvation; He is with us in our affliction.  I can't tell you the countless stories of those who are alone and seemingly abandoned, for whom all hope is gone, who have found their way forward through prayer, and who've known they were not alone because of prayer.  It may take awhile, one may not know until one can look back in hindsight about this help, but it is there.  Let us remember where we put our trust.  Let us be grateful for His presence with us, for His companionship in the Comforter.  Closer than our hearts, He is there when life disappoints, in the places where our abandonment and betrayal leave us.  He has gone there before we have.  Let us remember that He was betrayed with a kiss, by one of His own, when someone we love and trust may unjustly do the same. 

Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?

And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?" Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

- Matthew 26:47-56

In yesterday's reading, we read of Jesus' agony in the garden of Gethsemane. He went apart to pray, taking Peter and James and John Zebedee with Him. Then He began to feel the deep distress of this time. He told them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." He prayed, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." He found the disciples sleeping, and said to them, "Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." He prayed again: "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." He prayed again a third time, and found them again sleeping. He said, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."

And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people. In the night, Judas comes with a great multitude, armed as if to take on a violent criminal.

Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him." Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him. But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?" Here's the depth of betrayal, in a simple kiss -- a gesture that has launched an uncountable number of reflections, poems, stories of loss and a terrible kind of grief. But what we have to notice here is Jesus' continual efforts to save Judas from himself. He gave Judas the Eucharist at the Last Supper, along with all the rest, knowing what Judas was about to do. Here, Jesus simply asks him, "Why have you come?" and calls him "Friend." But the potency of this act is something that has not yet hit Judas. The greeting Judas gives to Jesus here is the same one given to Mary by the Archangel Gabriel in announcing the good news of the Child; in Greek it means "be joyful." The depth of hypocrisy, a false mask as in an actor's role in the ancient plays, reinforces for us Jesus' words condemning the hypocrites.

Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword." In John's gospel, the one who drew his sword is identified as Peter. The Gospels are consistent in giving us Peter's exuberant character. We can all understand his perspective in this act, and yet it is a warning to us. My study bible says that Jesus' severe rebuke to Peter for using the sword, and then His healing of the servant of the high priest shows "at once His patient forbearance and His great power." In another commentary, I read that it was contrary to the rule that anyone would carry a weapon on a feast day. We must therefore also begin to note the illegality of this time, this time out of synchronization with a normal time, in which all is in arrears, a time when all evil comes to impinge on this moment, as they prepare to take Him to an illegal night trial in which all procedure is violated. "He who takes up the sword will perish by the sword" is a very profound statement coming from the One who will Judge everyone. He's taught that when we do good things in secret our Father who sees in secret will reward openly. This is the flip side: faith in the violence done here means one lives and dies on these worldly terms, forgoing the life that He has on offer.

"Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" Jesus expresses His reality, the truth behind what is seen and seems to be apparent. It's the perspective of faith and the Kingdom. My study bible explains: "A legion is 6,000 soldiers. Thus, the One who heals is the One who can also call for an army of 72,000 angels! But He does nothing of the kind. He goes to His Passion voluntarily." It adds, "By saying that the Scriptures must be fulfilled Jesus quenches the Apostles' anger, indicating what is happening is proper because it is in accordance with the Scriptures."

In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. And Jesus is still teaching them, here in the garden and in this moment. He is telling them all, warning them all. It is a kind of saving teaching, an opportunity to consider what they are doing. Ironically, we've reached the moment of great stumbling: all of the disciples deserted Him and fled.

Have you ever had moments in your life when you felt it was best not to fight? Even if all the other things around you were telling you to, even if it seemed rational and logical, expected. Even when friends and others were encouraging and egging you on. Have you ever had a time when the inner voice of prayer told you to turn away, when in faith there was some reason why it was better to give up and give in, even when it didn't seem "just" or "right"? Sometimes God calls us to humility in a very deep and powerful way. We don't exactly know why, but we do understand within ourselves the voice that calls us there in faith. We may not have Scriptures written about ourselves, but we do have faith in this Scripture and what it teaches us: that what God calls for us to do trumps everything else, all other expectations and appearances, and worldly understanding. From my perspective, he who takes up the sword is a person who lives by worldly power alone, by the worldly understanding of power and manipulation, without God's input and faith in God's will, even when it seems to make no sense to our own natures. We always want to win. Why does God call upon us sometimes to "lose?" In this paradox, we have our Christ to look to, and to understand that life is far more complex than what it appears to be on the surface. The battle we lose today may mean there's a war we've somehow won on the inside, or in places within ourselves we don't know very well -- and most certainly for ourselves in the long run. We live by something else, something more -- we look to the life in abundance He promises. We get there by faith, in Him, the One in this story in today's reading, who served so that many could live. We look to the power of His Resurrection, the real power behind all things, all appearances, and we count on it to be at work in our lives.