“Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”

“And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

“And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
Matthew 26:38, 40-41, 43-46 ESV

Going to stay a week at the monastery every August is becoming one of my favorite times of the year. The simplicity of the days, the set times of prayer all throughout setting the routine and tempo for your moments is wonderful. Seeing that I am not catholic, there are a few things I do not take part in. I don’t pray to the angels or to Mary while I am there. But the singing of the the psalms, the reading of the Word, the time of reflection is like a soothing balm to my heart.

By far, my favorite prayer times are the last and the first each day. The final prayer time, ‘Compline’ thanks God for His guiding hand in your day, and asks for restful sleep in Him. The first, ‘Vigils’, is meant to mirror this passage of Scripture that we read today. Growing up in the independent Christian Church, there have been some terms that were not used that are spoken regularly in some of the other, more formal, gatherings of the Church. And this is one of them, ‘to keep watch with Christ.’

That account is familiar, as it should be, but to -actually- keep watch with Christ, like at 3:15 in the morning? That never came up as something to actually do, to experience, and having spent the time doing it, I have to say it is immensely valuable. At 3:15 in the morning, once you have stirred and set to moving, your mind is remarkably clear.to spend that time focused on Him, beginning your day in prayer and thanksgiving…I didn’t mind that in the least.

But here, in Matthew 26, it isn’t a new discipline the disciples are trying to undertake. They have just finished the Passover meal, there have been songs sung, stories shared, great things remembered and strange things beginning to happen (Where did Judas go? Who was Jesus talking about betraying Him? Why would Peter, of all people, deny Him?) and so they fell asleep from the wear and tear of the day.

As we approach Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday this weekend, we know what is coming. We know who the betrayer is, and what comes from Peter’s denial. We have the benefit of the full account in our hearts and in the Word. But for the disciples, we watch this unfolding for them in real time, and we see the reactions of each as they all eventually run away on this fateful night.

To keep watch with Christ, we must devote our hearts to Him, even when it isn’t easy. Even when our eyes are heavy or our minds burdened with questions. To keep watch with Christ, we put aside religion and repetition, and instead we focus on spending time with our Master, asking Him to guide our hearts into greater understanding, that we may contemplate His suffering and the moments leading up to it. That we may seek to grasp Hs heart and the will of the Father at work in Him. That then, in turn, we look into our own difficulties, our own struggles, and seeking His example, we learn that His strength to do the Father’s will is something He offers to us. That, in keeping watch with Christ, we come to understand, feel and know that He also keeps watch with us as we sit in those still, dark hours of the night when sleep eludes us and worries come crashing down on our hearts. And that we take this example, and learn what it means to GoLove others by keeping watch with them in their hours of need, as this is simply a part of what we do and who we are as the bride of Christ.

To keep watch is a part of living love, it shows care, companionship and compassion. Pray that God guides your heart to keep watch this week as we remember the suffering and glory of our Master, Jesus.