Music:

Instrumental intro

Gospel Text:

They came to a small estate called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Stay here while I pray’. Then he took Peter and James and John with him. And a sudden fear came over him, and great distress. And he said to them, ‘My soul is sorrowful to the point of death. Wait here, and keep awake.’ [Mark 14:32-34]

Commentary:

The scene is set: "A sudden fear came over him, and great distress". The actual pain is yet to come. Christ is suffering anxiety about what he fears is about to befall him.

Verse One:

Looks like Gethsemane outside tonight
Each hour takes about a year

Commentary:

Amanda's song was actually written amidst the pain and loneliness after a surgical operation lying in a hospital ward at night with drips and tubes going in and coming out of her.

You can use the controller at the top of the screen to pause the music at any stage during your reflection.

Song Text:

I feel the people closing in
I feel a chill across my skin
I feel a panic setting in—oh no...

Commentary:

Christ would go through his pain later. The images in the multimedia take us inside Christ's head to illustrate that his pain is in the future. For now, ask yourself what are the differences between pain, and anxiety about some future fear of pain?

Chorus:

Take this cup away from me
Take this cup away...

Gospel Text:

And going on a little further he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, this hour might pass him by. [Mark 14:35]

Commentary:

So often in my own torments in life I have found it is not the actual pain of whatever it is to come that causes the damage, it is the fear that comes through the thinking of what is to come. What is your experience?

Chorus:

I feel that I can't take it but it won't let me be
Can you tell me why—why have you
abandoned me?
Take this cup away...

Gospel Text:

‘Abba (Father)!’ he said ‘Everything is possible for you. Take this cup away from me. But let it be as you, not I, would have it.’ [Mark 14:36]

Commentary:

Bellini's painting captures the sense of abandonment. Not only does Christ call out to his Father but his friends are indifferent to his plight. Pain and anxiety often leave us in this state of "nobody understands the plight I am in". But in this verse of the Gospel Christ abandons himself into the will of his father. The soldiers led by Judas in the background point to what is to come. Put yourself in the place of Christ — and put yourself in the place of his disciples: Peter, James, John and don't forget Judas. When have we let other's down?