In today’s Gospel, Jesus instituted the Eucharist at his last supper with his disciples. Jesus showed by example that the Eucharist should be shared in community and that the Eucharist makes us equal in Christ. There are no differences, whether we are fat, skinny, young, old, strong, feeble, outspoken like Peter, or quiet like some of the other disciples. Our differences, our disabilities and our suffering are gone. We are only souls who come to the Table of the Eucharist with out-stretched hand to receive Christ into our lives.
Jesus teaches this lesson of equality when the disciples argue about who of them is the greatest. The new Church should not be like the Gentile governments who have positions of power who rule with that power. Jesus, the Teacher, said, “I am among you as the one who serves.” In the new Church, everyone will serve others as Jesus did by example.
“Then going out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.” Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray many times in the past and tonight was no different. We have talked many times how often Jesus would slip away from the crowds to pray. He does that again in preparation for trial that lies ahead of him.
Jesus, knowing what he was to endure, asked his Father to prevent this suffering. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” Notice how Jesus wanted to avoid the suffering but still prayed that the Father’s will be done.
How often we ask God to remove the trials and suffering from our lives, to make our lives easier. It is harder to ask for God’s will to be done because that might mean more suffering. But Jesus said that he would never permit any trial greater than we can bear. That means we can follow the example he gave us to pray for God’s will in our lives too.
We are all equal when we pray, just like when coming to receive the Eucharist. We pray to the Father, individually, and collectively as the Church, seeking God’s help and will in our lives. God even hears the silent prayers of desperation that are in our hearts.
Holy Week is a time of many emotions. It goes from ecstasy of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to the suffering of the scourging and the crown of thorns, to the agony of death on the cross, to the hope of new life in the Resurrection.
As we spend time in prayer this Holy Week let us reflect on similar events in our lives, both the suffering and the rejoicing. As we work our way through these many emotions, remember that the Hope of the Resurrection gives us confidence that we will see our Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven.
With that Hope in mind, we too can pray “Not my will, but yours be done”.
