An hour isn't much time. A single episode of a TV drama, a church service, a quick trip the mall, a typical college class all seem to happen in the blink of an eye. Not much time at all really. What was it that Jesus wanted his disciples to do with an hour? He wanted them to watch with him as his time of trial and death approached. Instead, they fell asleep. Perhaps like us, they used sleep as an escape. The future was too sad, too painful and threatening to think about. Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death and still they slept. He wakes them and says that they must watch in order to be saved from the temptations that they will face and leaves once again to face his own temptations. Again, they fall into sleep. Jesus, however, has once again prayed and is now ready to face what will befall him."Rise, let us go." The disciples are well-rested but totally unprepared for what will befall them. In fact, when it comes, they fall flat on their faces.
What we have here is the difference between escaping and preparing. Our culture does not talk about real death. We love violence but prefer it when our dead leap to life again to be seen in another episode. Hospitals, doctor's offices, and nursing homes are filled with the noise of innocuous television shows talking nonsense, because to their occupants, silence is unwanted. Facing our mortality threatens us. We too prefer to escape from our fearful thoughts. Jesus tells us this kind of escape is dangerous. We are missing the opportunity to prepare. Through prayer, Jesus moved from terror to courage and trust. We are growing old and death will come to us all. For Christians death itself will hold no fear. Yet the process itself is unknown and may be as difficult for us as it was for Jesus. But we too can watch with Him "one hour" and move from our fears to trust and dependence on the Father. We too can display faith and gain courage. What are you doing with your hour? Are you preparing or escaping?
Note: Scriptures for these blogs are from the Book of Common Prayer readings for morning and evening.
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