Continuation of Father Edouard Marot’s Lenten talk on Loving the Sacred Heart
Jesus had just instituted the Eucharist … He went to Gethsemane. Here, the will of Christ conformed to the will of the Father. He converses with his Father … This is the most crucial moment in which man has the choice to defer to the Father … The struggle this time is completely normal! Jesus said, “Father, if thou wilt, let this cup pass from me –take this pain away from me.” He saw everything (the crown, the scourging, the nails …) and his humanity was afraid, that is normal! Is it possible that he, innocent, can be so treated? But Jesus will show us the power of his mercy; he adds: “But Father, thy will be done and not mine.” His obedience is the opposite of original sin. Jesus here expresses his deepest desire. His human will assumes his divine will in an unimaginable agony of intensity …
St Paul writes: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”Heb 5:7 to 9.
Jesus gives us the example of obedience, in the heart of suffering, death. Originally, the Son said, “I do what you want.” In Gethsemane, the Son said, “I do what you want.” In this fight, his obedience is liberating.
We read, “Then an angel appeared to him to give him strength …” The angel who came to comfort him did not spare the rest! Some are called to live the mystery of the ‘passion, death and resurrection “as Jesus. Jesus asked Martha Robin every week: “Will you? “(Live my passion) She was encouraged by Mary, Therese … The angel encourages Jesus for his great anxiety was that his sacrifice be in vain! The Church Fathers say that the angel showed him the elect … and all those who, over the centuries, would comfort him during this Holy Hour. “The Church –spouse of Christ–is constantly in search of the hours lost by Peter, James and John …” wrote JPII, Cardinal.
He came to his friends … His soul is sorrowful even to death, he suffered intensely, he seeks support .. At this crucial moment, they sleep … ” do you sleep?! ”
This hour of attendance is forever lost, for the 3 friends … but “Jesus allows us to find Him during that hour, to take part in the prayer of his heart that embraces all generations” JPII
Yes, Jesus seeks comforters! We can console repair this solitude, this desertion … And we will taste it is still He who comforts us … It is He who took me and takes me in his Heart …
How to render Jesus’ Love for Love
– By the little things done with love. Jesus said to Sr. Josefa: “When I sweep the workshop of Nazareth, I gave as much joy to my Father when I preached in my public life …”
– By invocations: “Jesus, I love you … Jesus, I trust in you …” It unifies our core.
– By uniting our joys, our sorrows, our sufferings in union with His Heart for the salvation of souls as it is the main “concern” of Jesus … as He said to Sr. Josefa and as he himself teaches every day.
– By choosing a time of day during which we live all in union with Jesus. This is the “Guard of Honor” spread from Paray-le Monial.(France)