Agony in the Garden by Franz Schwartz

Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Luke 22:38

On June 8, 2016 I sat down to read the 5^th hour of the 24 hours of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ by Louisa Piccarreta

She has set the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane in total darkness.  She cannot find Christ.  It is pitch black.  She finds him by hearing his breathing.  She holds him.

I close my eyes and picture myself there.  I hold him and place my head against his chest.  His breathing is labored.  I feel oppression all around.  He is seeing the sins of man.  He is taking it all on.  He allows me to feel but a glimpse of this sin.  The blackness is so heavy it makes me hurt and I almost want to let go of Him because it hurts so bad.  But I do not want to let go of my Lord.  When my decision is made to keep holding onto Him, even in the pain and agony of what I have seen and felt, I can feel Him remove the blackness.  Even removing the blackness in me.  My sin.  I know what is on the other side of this agony.  He is teaching me to love like Him.  He takes my sin away and my shame is lifted.  I feel a love like I have never felt before.  He imparts on me to have this self – giving love. To love others even when they sin.  If I can love them, I can lead them to Him.  Their sin can be taken away just like mine.  I felt communion with Him in the garden.  I know the passion of the church is coming.  I know to hold on tight to Christ through it even when it hurts.  Resurrection and glory are on the other side.