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Morning Meditation
August 29, 2025
Reading: Mark 14:32-42
They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’
Meditation by Jeremy O’Neill
As someone who loves to sleep, I have always related to this passage. In a world focused on productivity, I believe that claiming ones rest can be powerful. I also appreciate the sense of calm, reset, and refreshment that comes with sleep. Jesus even tells his followers “I will give you rest.”
This passage, however, is not about the promotion or degradation of a good night’s sleep. On the surface it is a bit of an odd scene. Jesus tells Peter, James, and John to sit and stay awake. Other than that, he doesn’t give them anything else to do. He also gives no indication of why they are there or how long they can expect to stay. The one thing he tells them to do is keep awake, which they don’t do as he walks off to pray.
So why was it so important that they stayed awake? Maybe Jesus was afraid of getting taken. Maybe he felt the need for their support or for them to witness his prayers. But what I really love about this passage is how we see Jesus at his most human. For much of his journey, he has been clear about his goals and ministry, and he has not shied away from his impending crucifixion. In this story he is reckoning with what is about to happen to him and asking his father for help. He expects support from his friends, but finds them fast asleep.
It has been said that the definition if insanity is trying the same thing multiple times and expecting a different outcome. Now, by that definition, I would argue that all of us go through times of insanity. We swear we will change but it is easier to fall back into our old habits even if we don’t like the outcome we keep getting. It is not said whether or not the disciples were expecting to be able to stay awake, but what is clear is that each time Jesus returns to them, the outcome is the same: they have fallen asleep and Jesus is disappointed.
In some ways, these disappointments serve as small betrayals foreshadowing the ultimate betrayal which is to come. They also fit into a larger biblical narrative of people not seeing God. The disciples are unable to see God because their eyes are heavy. They are also unable to see Jesus’s lamentation, and are unable to understand the full emotional weight of this moment for him.
Whether their unawareness is deliberate is not said, but I believe this passage challenges us to consider the things we might be choosing not to see, whether this is a conscious or a subconscious choice. The things we choose not to see are varied, from the suffering of others to our own unrealized capabilities. So may we be attentive to all that is around us, because we never know where God might be and what we might be missing.
Prayer (from The Church of England’s Common Worship pg. 108)
Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
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