Jesus said to them “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”  How many times have we failed to recognize your agony, O Lord. To share it with you, to console you, to suffer and pray with you? And still, in your great love and mercy, in your kindness and compassion, in your amazing desire for our salvation; you poured yourself out to fulfill us, you endured incredible pain and sorrow to save us, you suffered and died to give us life – to make us once again beloved children of the Father – free from Satan’s power, free from his grasp.  Love is what you have shown us, O Lord. Mercy is what you have bestowed on us, O Lord. Peace is what you have given us, O Lord. Salvation is what you have gained for us, O Lord. No one could ever merit such an amazing and glorious gift. No one could ever redeem themselves. Only your tender love and divine mercy could ever heal our wounds. Only your tender love and divine mercy could have ever bridge the gap caused by our disobedience. Only your tender love and divine mercy could have healed us and restored us to God’s grace. It was your pain, O Lord that took away our pain. It was your     sorrow, O Lord that took away our sorrow. It was your suffering, O Lord that took away our suffering. It was your grief, O Lord that took away our grief. It was your death, O Lord that gave us life. There is no greater love than this, no greater expression of mercy than your Passion for humanity. For it was your death, O Lord that caused our misery to die and through your gracious will that we are able to rise anew. It is great love, O Lord; unfathomable mercy, most gracious Savior that you have shown us, that you have gained for us, that you have given us. Thank you for loving us so much. May your Passion remain in our hearts forever.