The First Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary, entitled "The Agony of Jesus in Gethsemane", is an intense and poignant moment in the Passion of Christ. This event, recounted in the Gospels according to Matthew (26:36-46), Mark (14:32-42) and Luke (22:39-46), shows the depth of Jesus' human suffering and his total obedience to the Father's will. In meditating on this mystery, we contemplate the immeasurable love of Jesus and his courage in the face of the ultimate test.
The Context of the Agony
After the Last Supper, Jesus goes with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, situated at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Aware of the imminence of his passion and death, he feels deep anguish. He said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there to pray. He takes with him Peter, James and John, his three closest disciples, and begins to feel great sadness and anguish.
The Prayer of Jesus
Jesus steps aside a little, falls face down and prays with particular intensity. He says, "My soul is sad beyond words. Stay here and watch with me." Then, in a prayer imbued with profound humanity, he begs his Father: "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not as I will, but as you will." This prayer reveals both Jesus' terror at the suffering that awaits him and his total surrender to the divine will.
The Solitude of Jesus
Returning to his disciples, Jesus finds them asleep. He wakes them up and says to them, "So you were not able to watch with me for an hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation; the spirit is fiery, but the flesh is weak." This scene is repeated three times, underlining Jesus' profound solitude in this moment of anguish. His disciples, despite their good will, are unable to share fully in his suffering.
The Sweat of Blood
Luke's Gospel adds a particularly striking detail: "Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground." This phenomenon, known as haematidrosis, is rare but can occur under extreme emotional distress. It shows the intensity of Jesus' anguish and his total immersion in human suffering.
God's Response and Jesus' Confidence
Despite his anguish, Jesus accepts his Father's will. An angel from heaven appears to comfort him, but the decision is made: he will go through with his saving mission. When he returned to his disciples a third time, he said to them: "Get up, let's go; behold, the one who betrays me is near. His determination and courage in the face of trial are an inspiration to all believers.
Spiritual Lessons
Jesus' agony in Gethsemane offers us several important spiritual lessons. It reminds us of the humanity of Jesus, who felt fear, anguish and pain, just as we do. It underlines the importance of prayer in times of distress, as a way of seeking comfort and strength from God. Jesus' submission to his Father's will invites us to do the same in our own lives, to accept trials with faith and trust in divine wisdom.
The Actuality of the Agony in Gethsemane
This sorrowful mystery remains relevant for believers today. It encourages us to be vigilant and to pray, to support those who suffer and to seek God's will in difficult times. It calls us to recognise God's presence even in our darkest moments and to find in Jesus a model of courage and faithfulness.
As we meditate on this mystery, let us ask God to grant us the grace of perseverance in trial, trust in his will and solidarity with those who are going through times of suffering. May the example of Jesus in Gethsemane inspire us to live with faith and courage, always ready to say, "Not as I will, but as you will."
