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He might speak more freely to His FATHER. 2nd. It was with deep reverence and humility, His knowledge of the Majesty of GOD, of the lowliness of His Humanity, and the extreme misery to which He was reduced, prostrated Him on the earth in deep selfabasement. 3rd. It was full of confidence and tenderness for He says, "My FATHER," whereas on other occasions He simply said, "FATHER." 4th. It was very submissive; for never was there so complete a renunciation of self-will, and resignation to that of GOD, as that of the Saviour praying in the Garden. His Human Nature shrank from the awful agony, yet He endured for our sakes. Let us pray Him to communicate His virtues to us. And when we are in any affliction or trouble, let us accustom ourselves to use this Prayer, saying, in the same spirit as our LORD, O Eternal FATHER, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done." In all dangers, and pressing afflictions let us say, "My FATHER, deliver me from this temptation or affliction which oppresses me. Give me the grace I need; succour me in this present necessity, but after all, not my will, but Thine be done.” O Blessed Saviour, I give Thee thanks that my soul was so dear to Thee that to procure my salvation Thou didst drink a cup so bitter. It was necessary that it should first pass through Thee, that it might lose much of its bitterness. Who amongst us could drink it, if Thou hadst not first drunk it? but after Thee its bitterness becomes sweet to our souls.

Prayer.

All praise, honour, and glory be to Thee, O LORD JESUS, Who, falling on the ground through excess of anguish, didst pray the FATHER, and humbly offer Thyself wholly to Him, saying, "FATHER, Thy will be done." Endue me with the same spirit of lowliness and meekness, and grant me grace, that in every necessity and trouble I may flee to Thee in prayer, and wholly resign myself to Thy will. May I never unbecomingly flee from adversity, but take all things from Thy Hand with a tranquil mind, and bear them with a meek and humble heart; submitting to Thy will in prosperity and adversity, health and sickness, life and death, for love of Thee. Amen.

III. JESUS RETURNS TO HIS THREE DISCIPLES.

Prophecy.

I am full of heaviness; and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

S. Matt. xxvi. 40-44.

Ps. lxix. 20.

Gospel Harmony.

S. Mark xiv. 37-41.

And when He rose up from prayer and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow, and saith unto

S. Luke xxii. 45. Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? What, couldst thou not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into

temptation. The spirit indeed is ready, but the flesh is weak.

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying O MY FATHER, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.

And He returned, and found them sleeping again, for their eyes were heavy, neither wist they what to answer Him. And He left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Meditations.1

The

Behold the holy, gentle pity of the LORD. nearer He approacheth unto death, so much the more He displayeth the tenderness of His loving heart. O how great is Thy benignity, gracious JESU! Thou dost watch for the safety of Thy timid flock; Thou dost not harshly reprove them, but patiently bearest their infirmity and slothfulness. Thou showest Thyself to be the truly good and holy Shepherd, Who loveth His sheep even to the end, in that Thou dost, even in Thine Agony, procure for them this brief interval of rest. Thou dost watch whilst Thy servants sleep; Thou dost endure the conflict alone, that they may abide in safety. O how great is Thy love! how incomprehensible Thy compassion and benignity! O my Saviour, I justly merit this reproach, for I am so slothful that I cannot watch with Thee even for a short time without distraction. Consider, O LORD, that my flesh is weak; and fortify it with such strength that I may never be weary of watching and praying with Thee.

1 For Reflections, see Williams, pp. 25-38.

The more the Saviour is forsaken of His FATHER, the more He perseveres in prayer, without complaining that His FATHER does not regard Him. This teaches us that we ought to pray with fervour, and not murmur if God answers us not, or delays to visit us; for if JESUS, Whose first word merited an answer, receives no response from Heaven, after praying three times, should we sinners, who are wholly unworthy to be listened to, be surprised if we are not heard without long perseverance!

Praper.

All praise, glory, and honour be to Thee, O LORD JESUS, Who, touched with a feeling of compassion towards Thy beloved disciples, didst leave off that prayer upon which Thou wast so intent, and coming to them didst arouse them to watchfulness and prayer. Grant, gracious LORD, that in all my labours and devotions I may avoid the sin of sloth, and may cheerfully serve Thee with a watchful mind. Compassionate my infirmities, O Holy Saviour! and grant me a devout and prayerful spirit. Give me grace ever to show compassion to all men, in whatsoever necessity they may be, and may I never seek my own will, but give up myself wholly to Thee. Amen.

IV. THE BLOODY SWEAT.

Gospel Harmony.

S. Luke xxii. 44; S. Mark xiv. 41, 42; S. Matt. xxvi. 45.

And there appeared an Angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an Agony, He prayed more earnestly and His Sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

:

And He cometh the third

time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go. Lo, he that betrayeth Me is at hand.

Meditations.1

O LORD, that sweat of Blood, which, during Thy fervent prayer, fell from Thy most holy Flesh upon the ground, indicated most certainly the anguish of Thy compassionate Heart. O my Saviour, wherefore had such overwhelming sorrow power over Thy Soul? Whence that disquietude, that Sweat, and Thy troubled supplication? Didst Thou not offer unto GOD, Thy FATHER, a sacrifice altogether voluntary? And didst Thou not willingly suffer all? Assuredly, O LORD. But we know that Thou didst undergo this also for the comfort of Thy weaker members, lest any should despair, if his frail flesh murmur, when his spirit is resigned to suffering. And Thou didst truly express by 1 For Reflections, see Williams on the "Holy Week," pp. 13-25.

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