The theme of being alone is one that comes up a lot in Lent. We think of the path that Jesus walked, the pain and the fear in his own prayer in the garden. His request of his friends to stay awake and pray with him. And his cry to God in the garden. We know the pain of isolation, the temptation to stay in isolation and the fear of rejection in returning to relationship. God calls to us to let us know that we are not alone. That our first relationship with God’s very self is already restored. We don’t have to be afraid. And from there, we can hold God’s hand as we risk relationship with others.
Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again he went away for the second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’
Matthew 26