Are You Still Sleeping?

And Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same.

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.” Mark 14:27-42 

Sleeping and napping can be divine gifts. A rested body is very important. Science tells us that the only way we heal is through sleep. Our brains cannot multi-task, even though we would like to believe that. Our brains take on the work of healing when we sleep. And yet, some of us, who have experienced lack of sleep know how hard it can be to stay awake, even when we want and need to.

Jesus has been praying and returns to find his dear friends sleeping. They have eaten and drunk their fill. They have no idea what is ahead. They have heard Jesus' words, but their bodies took over. The hour of betrayal had come. Betrayal, plotting and cruelty had been aimed at Jesus before and they were used to it, or so they thought. This would be different. We are invited today to be aware of the cruelty and injustice around us and to never be complacent, or used to it.

Today, I ask God to open my eyes and keep me awake and responsive to the cruelty around me. May we be wide awake so God can use us for the love and compassion for the world.