HOLY THURSDAY

"Can you not spend one hour with me?"

This is what Jesus said to his disciples on Holy Thursday in the Garden of Gethsemane. The next day, Good Friday, was when Jesus was crucified on the Cross.

I am a Roman Catholic -- went through 12 years of Catholic School (eight years, Elementary; four years, High School). But with ALL of my teachings, the profound thing I remember was when I was a little kid in Brooklyn, NY and I went to our parish church, every Holy Thursday from 10-11 PM, with my mother and father and spent one hour there, praying the Rosary -- Hail Mary's and Our Father's and Glory Be's... I went, as a dutiful little girl... not really knowing what it meant.

When I was little, I was just THRILLED to be going out at quarter to 10 at night, walking to Church and getting out of being put to sleep at my regular time! Oooh, it felt so grown up being out at that hour!! Then, one night when I was still young, my father said to me: "Do you know WHY we are going to church for Holy Thursday?" And I said, "Well, I do know the story of Jesus in the Garden and we have to pray with Him!" And my father said: "Yes, and do you know that Jesus asked his disciples to spend time praying with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane and they fell asleep? Jesus was worried about the next day, Good Friday, because He knew what was going to happen. And his disciples didn't even stay awake long enough to pray with Him. THAT'S why you and I and Mommy are going to Church tonight, on Holy Thursday, to show our loyalty to Jesus, and we will be there for Him, and with Him, to keep Him company and pray -- kind of like we were in the Garden of Gethsemane with Him. Jesus asked his disciples, 'Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour in the Garden?' So that is why, Gloria, that we are going to church at this late hour to pray with Jesus, as He did, that long, long time ago. We want to be with Him and show our love and loyalty to Him."

Well, when my "Daddy" really explained it -- WOW. It REALLY made an impression on me. As a little girl, I remember that I felt so badly for Jesus, being by himself and praying by himself! And now, all of these years later, I always remember this, every Holy Thursday, and hold it close to my heart, and always think of my father. I will admit that I might not have gotten to Church on all the Holy Thursdays since then, but I always think of Jesus in the Garden on Holy Thursday -- praying by Himself in the Garden -- and I try to be there with Him in spirit. I am planning on going to my local Catholic church this Holy Thursday with my son.

"Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour in the Garden?"

Even if you can't make it to a church, can you just spend a few minutes thinking of Jesus this Holy Thursday?

Thank you for listening...

Note: If you are reading this and aren't familiar with the story and you'd like to read about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, here is a lovely short synopsis... I chose this because it's for kids and it's short and sweet and NOT boring. :)
Click HERE.

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A HAPPY EASTER.

Best
Gloria