TGIMMadditionalBLos

	SORROWFUL EVEN TO DEATH

The Gospel

MATTHEW 26:36-39

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.”

The Media

"Bleeding Love"

Leona Lewis

"Closed off from love, I didn’t need the pain. Once or twice was enough, and it was all in vain. Time starts to pass; before you know it, you’re frozen. But something happened. For the very first time with you, my heart melts into the ground, found something true. I don’t care what they say, I’m in love with you. They try to pull me away, but they don’t know the truth. My heart’s crippled by the vein that I keep on closing. You cut me open and I keep bleeding love. In this world of loneliness I see your face. I'll be wearing these scars for everyone to see."

Can one compare the pain of loss of romantic love to the pain that Jesus felt in the Garden of Gethsemane? Certainly the circumstances are totally different, but the pain may be quite similar. In Leona Lewis' song, the person is "bleeding love." In the agony in the garden, Jesus is sorrowful even to death, and in one description, his sweat became "like drops of blood falling on the ground" (Luke 22:44). The pain in both cases is overwhelming, and is so strong that it could surpass any other thought.

In the song, the pain overshadows everything. The person in the song cannot function at all. In fact, there is so much pain that she is close to despair and giving up on everything. With Jesus, however, although the pain is still quite real, there is another factor present. Jesus knows that his Father is in charge, and will not let anything happen that is not part of some plan. And so, he prays with that thought.

Human beings have pain in life. It comes in the midst of romantic love development as described in Leona Lewis' song. It comes from the living of human life also--people become sick, loved ones die, tragedies occur. Pain is present "up close and personal." We can allow it to overshadow everything else in our lives. Or, like Jesus, we can understand that God is still very much present to us, and will be with us through the pain. Followers of Jesus will turn to God in prayer, not only asking God for help in whatever is happening, but at the same time realizing that there is hope: God is and will remain with them.

THOUGHT

Do most people turn to God in prayer to help overcome their pain? Yes or no and why?

PRAYER

Good and gracious God, in his human nature, your Son suffered mental and physical pain. He experienced the same type of pain that we experience. Help us learn from what he did, and turn to you to help us through the pain that comes into our lives. Be with us, we pray.

Questions, comments? Let me know. Email Fr. Mike