Can you not watch with Me?

+JMJ+

Lent 2009: Day 11

Getting back to some of my favorite theologians, I grabbed Von Balthasar's "Threefold Garland" on my way out yesterday. I wanted to make a special Holy Hour at 3:00 p.m...for First Friday, Divine Mercy and Lent.

To help prep, I read VB's meditation on the First Sorrowful Mystery--the Agony of Jesus in the Garden. It is often discussed by mystics and theologians how Jesus literally sweat blood in the Garden, this truly was the beginning of his Passion. Not only does Balthasar point this out, but another reflection of his really hits home.

He recalls how Jesus 'takes a break', as it were, from his Passion to check up on his Apostles, to see if they are still waiting and watching with Him. What does He find? His three closest companions asleep at their post.

Balthasar reflects how these three represent those whom the Lord is couting on most in His mission in the world: the Priests and Consecrated Religious. Ah! And how often do they fall asleep at the post, how often are they not vigilant. And when those to whom the Lord entusts with much sleep...what pain the Mystical Body undergoes.

As I entered into the three o'clock hour, I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and then meditated upon the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady in the form of the Rosary (instead of 5 traditional decades per Rosary, meditate upon the Seven Sorrows of Mary as 7 mysteries). This way of meditating on the Rosary began in Kibeho, Rwanda. It is a deeply intense meditation! Throughout, I kept coming back to that thought of Balthasar...and wondered, will I stay Faithful to Jesus, to serving His little ones, when, God-willing, I become a consecrated religious?

I keep hearing it said that Religious and Priests are the leaven...and without that leaven, the Mystical Body suffers. And again, the Body suffers when the leaven is defficient, when the leaven works contrary to its purpose. The celibate vocation points to the ultimate purpose of our existance: perfect union with God in Heaven.

But what if they sleep? To what does that point? What if they rebel? Does that lead the little ones to Heaven?

In this time of Lent, may we all committ to the renwal of our minds and hearts...and realize that every choice has an outcome that will either build the Faithful, or stir up doubts and lead many astray.