17 March, 2024
Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; – Hebrews 5:7
Eternal God, you are a Glorious and Faithful God, to be revered, honoured and feared, for you sent your own beloved Son Jesus, incarnate and mortal, to bear the sins of mankind and ransom his own life for the sake of man’s salvation, washing away the sins of the world with his Most Precious Blood. When the hour came close, for his passion and torment to begin and the time set for his ministry to end drew near, Jesus suffered the pain and throes of agony that any mortal flesh goes through, and prayed that he be spared the humiliation of frailty, and human weakness, submitting to the plans already set in motion and surrendering completely to your Holy Will.
His fervent supplications, flowing from a deeply afflicted soul, when he was preparing for the offering up of his soul as a sacrifice for our sins, in his agony, sweating drops of blood, did not go unheard and Jesus was ministered to and given solace and comfort, which stayed with him even when offering his life on the Cross. Jesus, very willingly underwent all the degradation heaped upon him, after his appeals to his Father, expressing his fear of displeasing him because of the evil one’s machinations were heard and the angel of God appeased his fears, strengthening him.
Father, hear our appeals as well, to be spared from unceasing temptations which lead to spiritual death, and guide us in the path of Truth, that we may follow your Holy Will. Just as Jesus secured victory over eternal death and damnation by conquering it through dying on the Cross and thus defeating all the evil schemes of the devil to keep us in captivity forever, may we, by his example, secure our redemption, by dying to mortal sin, abiding and living in Christ alone. Amen
