The Silence of Gethsemane

The Silence of Gethsemane

Is has been a week since we have settled in Jerusalem and by this time everybody usually finds his favorite place for prayer. And although the first place which comes to mind as the best for prayer is the Holy Sepulcher, with its being the place of the Crucifixion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, it is not my choice. The place which really spoke to my heart is the Basilica of Gethsemane, the place of Our Lord's agony.

Before the torments of scourging, humiliation, carrying the cross, being nailing to it, and death happened, Jesus was praying to His Father in the silence of the Garden of Gethsemane, with the company of Peter, James, and John. We can read that account in the Gospel's of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Let's here the account of Mark, in Mk 14,32-42:

"Then they came to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch." He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will." When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand."

This scene always strikes me with the humanity of Jesus. He, anticipating his suffering and death, struggles with the upcoming torment he will have to endure. Jesus, in this terrifying moment, turns to the Father, and with filial openness asks Him to take away the cup, meaning the suffering that is awaiting him. Jesus, the Son of God, is scared to death. And in this moment he accepts the will of the Father - "not what I will, but what you will."

The ominous atmosphere the of Jesus' internal struggle is perfectly captured in the Basilica of Gethsemane, designed by the Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi. Barluzzi designed many of the churches in the sacred places in Holy Land, but I would say that the Gethsemane Basilica is my favorite. The church inside is in deep blue and purple colors, which reminds of the evening when Jesus came to Mount of Olives after the Last Supper. The top of each column supporting the ceiling is pictured as the olive tree, which gives an impression that we entered with Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane. The main mosaic in the center presents Jesus praying to the Father, and above that scene there is an Angel who supported Jesus in his agony (Lk 22:43). On the left side there is a depiction of Judas' kiss, which pointed Jesus to the soldiers to arrest the Christ. On the right side, however, is the scene derived from the Gospel of John, where Jesus pronounces the I AM to the soldiers who came to capture him (Jn 18: 4-8). In front of the altar is highlighted the stone on which Jesus was praying in his agony.

There is one more aspect which makes this place so special - silence. Surprisingly, silence is not that obvious in most of the holy places in Jerusalem. Many times prayer is interrupted by other groups of pilgrims coming and going, guides explaining the importance of these places, and murmur of conversations. Not so much in the Basilica of Gethsemane - even with tourists, the atmosphere of reflection and prayer in most of the times kept. It feels that the event of Jesus' prayer in his last hours brings everybody to silence and prayer.
Gethsemane is a very special place for me. It is the place of great trust in God in the face of inevitable pain and suffering. It is also a place of hope, that after the darkness of abandonment comes the light of Resurrection. In a way, the silence of Gethsemane prepares the shouts of joy in the Holy Sepulcher.