AGONY IN THE GARDEN
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane,* and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,* and began to feel sorrow and distress.
Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death.* Remain here and keep watch with me. He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father,* if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.
Matthew 26:36-39
BETRAYAL ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
They came out to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane like he was a robber, led by Judas his betrayer who betrayed him with a kiss.
Jesus showed no animosity to Judas but called him friend.
In chains they brought Jesus before the high priest where he was mocked, struck and spat upon. The chief priests and elders condemned Jesus to death. Meanwhile in the high priest’s court yard Peter denied he even knew Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Peter repented and wept bitterly.
REFLECTION
We begin our Good Friday reflections with betrayal. In the Garden Jesus’ best friends fled. Judas whom He loved betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Later, Peter chosen to head Jesus’ church would deny in the courtyard three times before the cock crowed.
Do I ever betray Jesus and turn my back on him?
Do I repent and ask for forgiveness, return to Jesus like Peter?
Or do I stay away and separate myself from Jesus?
The Jewish leaders took Jesus before Pilate the Roman Governor, because under Roman law the Jews had no right to carry out the death penalty. Pilate found no guilt in Jesus and tried to trade Jesus for a horrific revolutionary and murderer, Barabbas, but incited by the chief priests, the crowd cried out for Barabbas.
Pilate feared the crowds, so he had Jesus scourged. Once more, Pilate went out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing him out to you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”
The chief priests and the guards cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood….
BEHOLD THE MAN!
REFLECTION
Still fearful of the crowd, but not wanting the blame, Pilate chose the ritual of washing his hands of this affair. Pilate tried to excuse himself from any guilt.
Just because Pilate says he is innocent of this man’s blood does not make it so!
Do I claim innocence when I sin or make excuses like it wasn’t that bad or blame others?
Jews over the centuries have been accused as “Christ killers
Jews are not collectively responsible for Jesus’ death. Catholic Catechism #597-598
All of us sentenced Jesus to death for our sins..”
Jesus redeems us by his sacrificial blood. His blood of redemption will wash over all.
Jesus Christ is Redeemer of the whole world!
Jesus is led out to be crucified, carrying the crossbeam of the cross himself. Because of the severe scourging at the pillar, Jesus soon falters and the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to assist in carrying the cross. At the place of the skulls, Golgotha, where executions were frequently carried out, Jesus was stripped of his clothes, tearing the scourging wounds apart only increasing the pain.
Simon of Cyrene in town to enjoy Passover festival never expected to have the cross of a criminal thrust upon him.
We never know where our crosses will come from, be ready!
The soldiers nailed his hands to the cross beam, attached the cross beam to the vertical beam already in place then nailed his precious feet. The soldiers then cast lots for His discarded garments. “They divide my garments among them and cast lots.” Psalm 22
What a difference a few days make. Today Jesus’ precious feet are nailed to a cross. A few days ago in Bethany in the home of Lazarus, they were anointed by Mary and embraced with love and kisses.
“They will look upon whom they have pierced…when I am lifted up,
I will draw all things to me…who ever looks upon me and believes will be saved”
John 12:32
WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY NAILED HIM TO A TREE?
Not only was Jesus mocked by the men executed with him but by the crowd, soldiers, chief priests, and scribes, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Mark 15:29-39.
Jesus overcame hate with love, death with his own life. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:31. Jesus forgave the Good Thief in his dying moments and promised him a room in his mansion in paradise.
Do I forgive others, even unpleasant ones?
Before His death on the cross, Jesus looked on His mother and the disciple He loved and said, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” John 19:25
From the cross Jesus gives us one of our greatest gifts, His Mother Mary!
Don’t forget Mother Mary when you need something from the Son!
Bowing His head Jesus expired. “it is finished, and giving a loud cry, Father into your hands, I commend my spirit.” When the centurion who stood facing him saw how Jesus breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:37-39. The veil in the temple that divided the holy of holies from the people was torn in two.
The centurion gave witness, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
What prompts us to recognize God in our lives?
Do we ever bear witness to these God events to others?
The veil in the temple that divided the holy of holies from the people was torn from top to bottom in two. No longer is God separated from his people by some veil, Jesus is the New Temple. Jesus is available now to everyone who seeks Him.
JESUS IS PRESENT IN OUR EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES.
JESUS IS PRESENT IN THE MASS.
JESUS IS PRESENT IN OUR SACRAMENTS.
BURIAL OF JESUS
Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin council, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Having bought a linen cloth, Joseph took Jesus down, wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid.
CONCLUSION
The burial of Jesus is not the end of the story. We get a hint because two Marys are checking out where they are burying Jesus and just like any good novel we wait to see what happens next, what are these ladies going to do with this knowledge?
Jesus descended to the abode of the dead to announce the good news…that soon those in Sheol will join Him in the exodus to eternal life…neither the tomb nor death will hold Jesus…He has conquered sin, and its sting…death…from the darkness of death a new hope will shine, the light of the resurrection. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call upon him while he is near.
Isaiah 5:6