Date: Sunday, April 09, 2017
After their supper together Jesus and his disciples go to a garden, Gethsemane, on the Mount of Olives. The disciples sit down. Jesus takes Peter, James and John apart to pray. He requests that they watch with him. Do they hear Jesus pray: “Father, if it is possible the cup pass without drinking, but your will be done.” At the cross Mary Magdalene, Mary, the Mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee are looking on at a distance. Do they hear Jesus cry: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” When the lifeless body of Jesus is placed in the tomb, the two Marys sit and face the tomb. The disciples (men and women) are watching, looking and facing the harsh reality of the crucifixion and death of Jesus. They (and we) ask the question: “why?” They will come to understand the mystery and meaning of this sacrifice. At the supper, Jesus takes a cup filled with wine and gives it to his disciples saying: “Drink all of you for this is the chalice of my blood of the covenant which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” Jesus dies for us.