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Gospel: Matthew 26: 36-46
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,* and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.”
He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”
When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!”
Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.
Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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I’m sure many of you have heard of Fulton Sheen, the most popular Catholic preacher of the last 100 years.
He was famous for many things: his style, his energy, his pomp and circumstance, and how his sermons made the Gospels seem relevant and accessible to a 20th century audience.
When Sheen was ordained a priest, he made two promises to God: first, he would offer Mass in honor of the Blessed Mother every Saturday, seeking her intercession to protect his priesthood.
And second: he would spend an hour a day in prayer.
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Sheen’s promise to pray a “holy hour” was transformative. He credits prayer, in particular, to making his heart more like Christ’s.
It’s why I’ve made the same effort – to pray an hour a day – for the last 12 years. I, too, can say that prayer has fueled my love for Christ.
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But, why pray for an hour?
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It comes from today’s Gospel – from the very place where we are standing now. “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” Jesus says to his disciples.
Sheen claims this is the only time when the Lord asks anything of them – just to keep him company.
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While the Lord doesn’t expect all of us to keep watch with him for an hour a day, every day, we all must pray.
It’s what made Sheen – and what can make us – a Saint.
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Image credits: (1) Dreamstime.com (2) Custodia Terrae Sanctae (3) Holy Land Sites