Episode 2932: The Holy Hour: Answering Christ's Call in Gethsemane

The Holy Hour: Answering Christ's Call in Gethsemane
Opening Greeting:
Hello, and welcome to today's episode of Traditional Catholic Reflections. Thank you for joining me as we delve into the profound connection between our practice as Catholics of doing Holy Hours and the hour in the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ asked His apostles to spend just one hour in prayer with Him.
Let us begin this episode by placing ourselves in the presence of God with a prayer:
"Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created, and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Amen."
I was talking to Nancy about my intention of doing a Holy Hour this morning but instead got distracted and so I went to mass. She told me a story she heard from Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who had a deep devotion to the Holy Hour, where he recounted an experience where, due to exhaustion from travel, he fell asleep immediately upon beginning his Holy Hour. He described kneeling down, saying a prayer of adoration, sitting to meditate, and then instantly falling asleep. He awoke exactly one hour later and pondered whether he had truly made a Holy Hour. Reflecting on this, he imagined an angel responding, "Well, that's the way the Apostles made their first Holy Hour in the Garden, but don't do it again."
This anecdote highlights Sheen's humility and his recognition of human frailty, drawing a parallel between his own experience and that of the Apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane, whom Jesus found sleeping during His time of agony. It serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance in prayer, even when faced with human weakness.
So you know me, I never let a good story or a chance to write an episode escape me.
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The Call of Christ in Gethsemane
Let us recall the solemn moment in the Gospel of St. Matthew (26:36-46) when our Lord, burdened by the weight of the sins of the world, entered the Garden of Gethsemane. Knowing the agony that awaited Him, He turned to His three closest apostles Peter, James, and John and made a simple request:
"Could you not watch one hour with Me?" (Matthew 26:40, Douay-Rheims)
In that plea, we hear the voice of Christ yearning for the faithful companionship of those He loved. He knew that betrayal and suffering were imminent, and yet He longed for human solidarity someone to remain vigilant in prayer with Him.
Tragically, the apostles could not stay awake. Overcome by the weakness of the flesh, they fell asleep, leaving our Lord alone in His agony.
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The Origin of the Holy Hour Devotion
Centuries later, the Catholic Church embraced the practice of the Holy Hour as a response to that divine plea in Gethsemane. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the great apostle of the Sacred Heart, was instrumental in popularizing the devotion. She received a vision in which Our Lord asked her to keep a Holy Hour of prayer every Thursday night in memory of His suffering in the Garden.
This tradition has been embraced by countless saints and faithful Catholics who understand the profound grace that comes from keeping watch with Christ in adoration and prayer.
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The Power of the Holy Hour
Why is the Holy Hour so essential to our spiritual lives?
First, it is an act of reparation. Just as Christ was abandoned by His apostles, so too is He often neglected in the Blessed Sacrament today. By spending an hour in adoration, we console His Sacred Heart and atone for the indifference and sins of the world.
Second, it is a time of intimate communion with our Lord. As St. Alphonsus Liguori beautifully said:
"Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us."
Third, the Holy Hour strengthens our will and equips us to face the trials of life. When we kneel before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, we are transformed. Just as the apostles were strengthened after Pentecost, so too are we fortified by the graces that flow from adoration.
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Practical Guidance for a Holy Hour
How can we make the most of a Holy Hour?
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Begin with Silence: Take a moment to still your heart and acknowledge the presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.
2. Scripture Reading: Meditate on passages from the Passion, particularly Christ's agony in the garden.
3. Rosary and Chaplets: Offer the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary in reparation for sins.
4. Spiritual Reading: Bring a spiritual book or writings from the saints to guide your meditation.
5. Silent Adoration: Simply be with Christ. Pour out your heart to Him and listen for His voice.
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Answering Christ's Plea
Today, more than ever, Christ asks us to watch and pray with Him. The world is filled with noise, distractions, and temptations, but in the silence of the Holy Hour, we can hear His gentle plea: "Could you not watch one hour with Me?"
Imagine the joy we bring to His Sacred Heart when we respond with a resounding Yes! We join with the saints and angels in consoling our Lord, and we participate in the redemptive work of prayer.
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Conclusion and Prayer:
Let us conclude with a prayer:
"O Sacred Heart of Jesus, we offer Thee this hour of adoration in reparation for the sins of the world and to console Thy sorrowful heart. Teach us to love Thee with greater fervor and to remain ever faithful to Thy call. May our time spent with Thee strengthen us to carry our crosses and lead us to eternal life. Amen."
Thank you for listening to this episode of Traditional Catholic Reflections. May God bless you, and may you always find joy in keeping watch with Christ.