Third Meditation. The Agony in the Garden: Dangers of Sadness

POINT I CONSIDERATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

CONSIDER the agony of Jesus in the Garden, which is so great that He Himself says, "My soul is sorrowful even unto death" (Matt. xxvi. 38). He begins to tremble and to be afraid. His body sways, His knees give way, He falls prostrate to the ground. The terror of death seizes upon His soul. His sweat becomes as drops of blood. He groans and calls on His heavenly Father for help:

"Father if it be possible, let this chalice pass from Me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt." At last an angel descends from heaven and comforts Him.

Sadness is a consequence of sin. Our Saviour suffered this dereliction in the garden to make satisfaction for our sins and to earn for us the grace to escape the unhappy consequences of sadness.

Sadness, being a result of sin, can do no good.

"Drive away sadness far from thee," says the Holy Ghost, "for sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it" (Ecclus. xxx. 24, 25).

Consider the evil consequences of sadness, my soul, that thou mayest be moved to use the means of overcoming it.

1. The first effect of sadness is that it deprives the soul of all relish for prayer and spiritual exercises. Sadness directs all our thoughts into a melancholy channel. "By grief of mind," says the Wise Man, "the spirit is cast down."

2. Then sadness makes thee downhearted, and out of joint with thy surroundings. It causes thee to be a cross to others. "Sadness," says St. Gregory the Great, "is always near to anger."

3. Sadness, moreover, robs the will of all power and energy. "Grief in the heart of man shall bring him low." "As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart" (Prov. xxv. 20). "For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength, and the sorrow of the heart boweth down the neck" (Ecclus. xxxviii. 19).

4. Sadness is, finally, the cause and the root of many grievous temptations. "The devil is delighted," says St. Francis, "when the heart of man is sad, for then he will easily conquer it." "Sadness," says the Holy Ghost, "hath killed many and there is no profit in it" (Ecclus. xxx. 24, 25).

Behold, my soul, the cause and the effects of sadness, for which Thy loving Saviour willingly suffered that indescribable sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemani. Do not deceive thyself for a moment that thou couldst give way to sadness even for a day without harm. It will dry up thy spirit of piety and devotion. It will even anger thee to see others absorbed in prayer. Thou who lovest to criticize, how often hast thou given way to thoughts, words, and actions against charity when sadness oppressed thee? If thou givest way to sadness, thou by thy own fault makest thy way to heaven ever more tedious and more difficult, yea, almost impossible. Then the devil will tempt thee against thy vocation, against a life of virtue, and, alas, may induce thee to seek solace for thy woes in the pleasures and distractions of the world. If sadness has already taken possession of thee, go, my soul, to that Garden of Gethsemani, and see what thy Saviour has suffered for thee, that thou mayest have the strength to triumph over this temptation. Call also to mind the words of St. Magdalene of Pazzi to a Sister who gave way to sadness: "Rest assured, dear Sister," said she, "that God can take no pleasure in a soul that is sad."

AFFECTIONS AND PRAYERS

O dearest Jesus, for love of me thou didst suffer Thy bitter dereliction. To give me a token of Thy exceeding great love Thou didst wilfully suffer an agony that no human heart can ever comprehend. And I in return have been unwilling to suffer even a little for Thee. I detest my conduct. I thank Thee for Thy goodness in showing me how to suffer mental agony with resignation. O how many faults have I committed by not following Thy example! I detest them from the bottom of my heart. I regret all the sins against fraternal charity that I have committed by yielding to sadness. I deplore the many opportunities of practising virtue that I have passed by on the same account. I do not wish Thy suffering to be in vain. I wish in all things to imitate Thy holy example. I, too, desire henceforth only God's holy will. Yes, in agreeable as well as in hard things, may Thy holy will be done, O Lord.

POINT II CONSIDERATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

Consider, my soul, what thou must do in the time of sadness to suffer no spiritual loss. Thy loving Saviour shows thee four means to make use of when oppressed by sadness, no matter what may be its cause.

1. The first great means is prayer. In sadness thou feelest a repugnance, a disgust for spiritual things. But thou must resist and fortify thyself by prayer, "Watch ye and pray," said Our Lord to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemani, "that you enter not into temptation" (Matt. xxvi. 41). Not only Jesus, but also the disciples were plunged into a sea of sorrow. Instead of praying, the disciples give way to sleep. They draw upon themselves this reproof, "Could you not watch one hour with Me?" (Matt. xxvi. 40.) Soon the disciples begin to doubt. They are filled with a great fear. They desert their Master. But Jesus, "being in an agony, prayed the longer" (Luke xxii. 43). He is comforted by an angel and conquers every temptation.

2. The second remedy is not to seek consolation in worldly distractions and relaxations. Redouble, if possible, thy fidelity in the performance of thy duty. Sadness paralyzes the powers of the soul. Thou must therefore make special exertions to perform thy duty faithfully. "Give not up thy heart to sadness," says the Holy Ghost, "but drive it from thee; and remember the latter end" (Ecclus. xxxviii. 21).

3. Thou must, moreover, take particular care not to offend against charity. Sadness makes thee whimsical, downcast, and peevish. "Watch and pray," therefore, according to the example of Jesus, lest thou fall into temptation.

4. The final method of overcoming sadness is fidelity in performing the labors of thy calling. This is necessary in order to conquer that longing for change and diversion which arises in the soul in time of sadness.

Behold, my soul, the only true remedies for sadness. See how the Saviour applies them in His agony in the garden. He prayed, to teach thee to pray in the hour of trial. He knew that the will of His heavenly Father demanded that He shall suffer patiently, and He did it with perfect resignation. He does not find fault with His disciples, but lovingly, tenderly tells them, "Sleep ye now and take your rest, . . . for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" (Matt. xxvi. 45, 41). Do thou also endeavor to be friendly, mild, and loving toward every one when sadness darkens thy soul. Summon up all thy strength and act as thy duties require thee. Then sadness will become for thee a great source of merit.

AFFECTIONS AND PRAYERS

O holy Spirit, who directest all in conformity with our divine model, I repent that so often I did not walk in the way of my Saviour. He prayed for me when suffering an agony of sadness. I have often neglected to pray when a little downcast. He sought comfort only in the will of His heavenly Father. I have sought consolation in relaxation and distractions. He watched and prayed and was gentle with His disciples. I grow peevish and uncharitable. He did the will of Him that sent Him, in all things. I have often sought consolation in following my own bad humor. I am ashamed of my conduct. I detest it. I desire to conform myself to that sublime model which Thou showest me in the Garden of Gethsemani, O holy Spirit, when sadness afflicts me. Help me to realize this desire. I am weak, but Thou wilt be my strength. "I can do all things in Him who strengtheneth me" (Philipp. iv. 13).

Resolution

I will often recall to mind the words of St. James: "Is any of you sad? let him pray" (James v. 13). Let the thought of the overwhelming sorrow of my Saviour in the Garden of Gethsemani sustain me! O my Jesus, I beg of Thee, and I hope to receive from Thee, the grace to execute what I now resolve.

"Bring my soul out of the prison that I may praise Thy name" (Ps. cxli. 8). My mother Mary, if thou wilt pray for me, I am safe. Oh, pray for me, pray; and cease not to pray till thou seest that I am changed, and made what God wishes me to be.