Jesus in a Painful Place

Then Jesus withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done’. Then an angel of heaven appeared to him and gave him strength [to see this thing through]. In his anguish Jesus prayed more earnestly… When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief. Luke 22: 41-45

It’s cool to note that in this Gospel, Jesus appears to have the tendency many of us have when facing painful or difficult situations. Almost instinctively we want to wish it – or pray it away! We tend to want to avoid, deny, repress, pray or wish our wounds away. Jesus appears to be so like us (which is really cool)!

But often, to find the lesson or treasure buried in the well of our wounds, it needs to be felt and looked at with painful honesty. Ultimately, it is that truth-seeking - and not denying, (through the lens of kindness, gentleness, care and the like) that is freeing and healing. Jesus does a second cool thing (perhaps after wrestling with this pain all, all night).

Jesus refines his attention. He refines his prayer and says, “not my will but yours be done”. Jesus submits to a deeper plan.It moves me no end that after this period of “refinement” Jesus is assisted by the Unseen Realm in the form of an angel. This assistance comes, not to take the wound away, but to strengthen Jesus to see a Way through it all.

Every blessing as you continue with your Lenten Practices. From time to time, our attention and our prayers will have to be refined. Be kind to yourSelf and take care on this journey of Refinement.

May you be well
May you find your deepest treasure
hidden in the Well of whatever wounds you

May you be well

The photos, which I “Googled”, is that of a Tibetan monk - part of and witnessing the protests against China towards the end of last year