back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
They did not know what to say to Him. Returning the third time, He
said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour
has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.
Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Mark 14: 39-42)
Jesus found the disciples sleeping – again and again and again!
Jesus had asked them to wait and watch for He knew what was
coming - His betrayal and death. While He went ahead in the garden
to pray and struggle with what was to happen to Him, He expected
the disciples to be on alert – to “watch and pray that they would not
enter into temptation.” Indeed, He told them, “the spirit is willing,
but the flesh is weak.” Now the time had come for Judas to betray
Jesus and for Him to be arrested. Jesus finally was able to prod them
into action!
How often are we so complacent with life and neglect our communion
with the spirit that we fall “asleep at the wheel?” Or maybe not
asleep, but so busy with day-to-day activities that we don’t spend
any time in intentional meditation and prayer. I admit to being guilty
of that and trying to ignore that part of my life. But lately, a number
of things have happened to nudge me into examining my relationship
with the spirit and the meaning of my life. Discussions with a group
of friends examining what faith means, another group studying the
writings of Thomas, and a variety of readings have awakened a
yearning for more.
During this Lenten season, take time to study, meditate, pray, and
draw closer to the Creator spirit within and around us. Be awake to
the present, what is happening in our lives and the world around us.
Be proactive in loving and caring for each other and experience the
power of God’s love.
Carole Kimmel
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