Feb. 28: Agony in the Garden: From Suffering to Acceptance

Here are the scripture readings we discussed on Sunday, as we looked at Christ's own agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. We discussed the meaning of the word agony--agonia, which in the Greek relates to a physical preparation for a coming event. For example, athletes before the Olympics exercised agonia in preparation for the athletic event the next day. How does this meaning of the word relate to Christ's agony and to our own?

We focused on the sentences in the three Gospels, a variation on: ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ I have suggested that we, as sufferers, often exist in the space between the two sentences--a desire to end the suffering--and yet not ready to hand it over to God.

For the remaining Sundays in March, let's talk about specific agonies and suffering. What will these topics be?


Agony in the Garden: March 2
9:15am: classroom

Today we look at Christ’s own agony and suffering as we try to find something there that will guide us in and through our own agonies.

1. Read the passages of the Gospels on Christ’s agony in the garden (see attached sheets). As you’re hearing these passages read aloud, underline or make a quick note about whatever it is you see in each passage that you want to talk about. After each passage, we will have silence for you to make some notes, bring up some questions, offer some insights.

Perhaps these questions might be helpful:

a. If Christ’s suffering and acceptance are our spiritual guides to our own suffering, what are we to do? How are we to find peace and acceptance?

b. What is agony? Passion? What are its physical manifestations? What is Jesus’s specific agony (noting that he has come from table fellowship—the “last supper” with his disciples?

2. Jesus did not suffer in silence, and we take that as a sign we are not meant to do so either. Please write in the space below what agonies you wish to offer to this group as we, all of us, seek a peace that passes understanding in those situations we live through daily. I have mentioned physical illness, mental illness, adult children. How might these Sundays in Lent offer a safe, Christian community as we each seek the transformation of suffering in our lives
 Matt 26: 36-44

 Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ 37He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ 39And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ 40Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial;* the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ 42Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ 43Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.
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 Mark 14: 32-36

 Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

 32 They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ 33He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. 34And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ 35And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36He said, ‘Abba,* Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’
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 Luke 22: 41-46

 41Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, 42‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ [[ 43Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]]* 45When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’*

 John 18: 7-11

 7Again he asked them, ‘For whom are you looking?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’* 8Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he.* So if you are looking for me, let these men go.’ 9This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken, ‘I did not lose a single one of those whom you gave me.’ 10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear. The slave’s name was Malchus. 11Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword back into its sheath. Am I not to drink the cup that the Father has given me?’