Scripture Reading – Matthew 26:36-38
Jesus came to a small estate called Gethsemene; and he said to his disciples, ‘Stay here while I go over there to pray’. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. And sadness came over him, and great distress. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here and keep awake for me.’
“Silence is a good friend – and one that guides us to find God to be with us. Our Lord left the supper table and walked into the night to find silence – to be alone – and in that silence to be with his Father. It was not a peaceful silence, for he was in agony, blood and sweat on his brow, as he struggled to accept the suffering that he must undergo, and the failure of those closest to him, who failed him when he needed them most. He had gone to find silence and solitude to be with his Father.
In prayer we may share with him our agonies and our struggles too, and not least the struggle to accept God’s will when that seems hard to do. We may speak to him about the pains and sufferings of those whom we know and love, our relatives and friends, not forgetting strangers too.
Above all, he asks us to join him just for a bit, alone, and in silence”.
Prayer
Father, help me to find you in the silence of my heart.
For the Cardinal Hume Centre
Father, help those who have been failed by those closest to them. Help them to find sanctuary at the Centre.
“I was so frightened. I was terrified I would have to go back to him. But the Centre fought for me every step of the way.”
