Thy Will Be Done

Jesus came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, "Pray that you may not come into the time of trial." Then he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done." Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial."

While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, "Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?" When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. Luke 22:39-51 

Today, after worship here at General Convention, the Bishops will be bussed to the Cathedral so that we can vote for a new Presiding Bishop. There is much anxiety and a new level of distrust from some that the Bishops cannot elect a good leader. What we are sequestered for is prayer, time to be centered and let the Holy Spirit work through us. We are all fragile human beings, often caught up in politics and gossip. Today we need to be quiet and listen to the will of God.

Jesus went to the garden to pray and took his closest friends along. He asked them, in his anxiety and fear, for them to stay awake with him. They were full and sleepy. Even the Savior of the world, needed time to pray. He needed a time to be centered and listen to God. He what  was before him was unimaginable. The weight upon him was great and he sought to draw close to God and be enveloped in the Holy Spirit.

Today I ask God to be with us bishops. May set aside all politics and competition and seek the will of the one who made us all. May we stay awake and focus on the love of God and that alone today.