This article is part of the Marian Mondays Series, a weekly reflection on the mysteries of the rosary by Jonathan Conrad, owner and founder of The Catholic Woodworker. Subscribe to have these reflections and more sent straight to your inbox every week.
During the Agony in the Garden from Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus prays twice, first saying, “‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as You will.’”
And then later: “‘My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, Your will be done!’”
These moments in the garden challenge us to think about our own approach to suffering and prayer: do our prayers typically end with “Thy will be done,” or are they more often “let this cup pass from me”? Do we ask for the grace to bear our suffering well, or do we only beg for God to take it away?
It makes sense why none of us would want to suffer—it’s unpleasant at best. And even in His humanity, Jesus experiences anguish at the anticipation of His own physical and spiritual suffering.
Yet, He ultimately accepts His persecution and death, offering it for us and for our sins. Jesus loves us so much that He suffered for all of us, those who accept Him and those who reject Him.
Knowing this, I’m reminded of my own crosses and how I too want to offer them to the Lord from a place of gratitude, just as Jesus offered Himself for me.
I want to learn how to stay in prayer until I can ask for pardon and atonement for my own sins: that I might have true sorrow for my sins, repent from them, heal from them, grow from them, and be strengthened by them so that God’s will can be done through me, in union with Christ.
Lord, help us to be willing and able to give a more perfect gift of self for love of You, now and always.
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