NIGHT TRIALS

Gethsemane / AL 34 [Poem Chapter 599]

599a,b/p.520 - Jesus speaks to MV of the great agony He endured in Judas’ presence

at the Last Supper.

271. M April, Thu Leaving for Gethsemane.

Mt 26:30 Mk 14:26 Lk 22:39 Jn 18:1598b/p.517
599c/p.522
They sing a hymn and depart for Gethsemane, leaving His Mother still at
prayer in an adjacent room. Empowered by the Living Presence of the Eucharist,
something Satan had certainly not contemplated, She will be in prayer the entire night
to bring Him the sustaining help He will need from the Angel that appears in the hour
of His greatest agony. On the way, Jesus exacts two promises from Simon the Zealot:
That he would go to Gamaliel and tell him that the promised sign for which he had
been waiting 21 years (that the stones in the Temple would be shaken) was soon to be
given (See Gospel episode 25.); and that he would gather as many Disciples of His as
he could after the betrayal and bring them to Lazarus’ house. They cross the brook
Kidron and came to the Mount of Olives.
598b/p.507 - The Passover Supper. (Gospel Episodes 264. to 271.)

272. M April, Thu The Agony in the Garden. The First and Second Prayers.
Mt 26:36 44 Mk 14:32 40 Lk 22:40 42 ---- 599c/p.530
Jesus comes to Gethsemane. He takes Peter, James and John with Him a
little beyond the camp. Peter, we remember, was the most confident, and James and
John thought they could sit with Jesus in the Kingdom in the judgment (See also V,
p771). He asks them now to pray while He goes even further to pray by Himself.
Peter promises that they would all stay awake and pray. Jesus prays His first, and
second prayers in Gethsemane. Jesus arouses Peter, James and John from sleep after
each prayer.

273. L April, Thu Jesus is Strengthened during His Third Prayer.

---- ---- Lk 22:43,44 ---- 599c/p.535
It is during the third agonizing prayer that Jesus sweats profusely with
blood. An Angel miraculously sustains him. It was His Mother’s fervent prayers that
brought the angelic assistance. [NOTE: What the Angel showed Jesus to sustain Him
is found in the last two paragraphs on page 543.]

274. M April, Thu The Disciples are Awakened the Third Time.
Mt 26:45,46 Mk 14:41,42 Lk 22:45,46 ---- 599c/p.537
Near the end of the 2nd watch (almost midnight): Jesus makes a final
attempt to awaken the Disciples. Jesus says, “But get up now, and let us go. He who
is going to betray Me is close at hand.” [NOTE: There were four Roman night
watches (Mark 6:48), 6-9 PM; 9-12 Midnight; 12-3 AM; 3-6 AM.]

275. M April, Thu The Betrayal of Judas.

Mt 26:47 49 Mk 14:43 45 Lk 22:47 Jn 18:2,3 599c/p.537
Judas appears with the scribes, Pharisees, elders and armed soldiers. He
betrays Jesus with a kiss.

276. M April, Thu Friend, Why Have You Come?

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 Mt 26:50a ---- ---- ---- 599c/p.538
Jesus says to Judas: “My friend, what have you come for . . .”

277. M April, Thu Jesus Questions Judas about the Kiss.

---- ---- Lk 22:48 ---- 599c/p.538
Jesus continues, “. . . Are you betraying Me with a kiss? The guards rush
forward and attempt to restrain not only Jesus but also the other Disciples, who are off
to the side.

278. M April, Thu Jesus Presents Himself to the Temple Guards. The Guards Fall
to the Ground.
---- ---- ---- Jn 18:4 6 599c/p.538
Jesus responds calmly to the assault against His Disciples: “Who are you
looking for?” At their reply, Jesus thunders forth, “I am He!” The soldiers all fall to
the ground.

279.M April, Thu The Disciples Ask about Using Swords.

---- ---- Lk 22:49 ---- [-]
Taking slight courage at the seeming turn of events, the Disciples approach
Jesus [and according to Luke, ask Jesus about using weapons]. Peter, with drawn
sword, attempts to land a blow on Judas, who has jumped back just in time. Sticks
and stones come from the others, driving Judas from the garden.

280. M April, Thu Jesus Exchanges His Life for the Life of the Disciples.
Mt 26:55,56a Mk 14:48,49 Lk 22:52,53 Jn 18:7 9 599c/p.538
Jesus asks again,” Who are you looking for?” They say, “Jesus of
Nazareth.” Jesus responds, “I have told you that I am He, so let these others go. I
will come.” Jesus then rebukes the mob.

281. M April, Thu Peter Strikes the Servant of the High Priest with a Sword.
Mt 26:50b,51 Mk 14:46,47 Lk 22:50 Jn 18:10 599c/p.538
While Jesus is still speaking, a soldier, a servant of the High Priest, is trying
to tie Jesus’ hands. Peter attempts to kill the man, but only gets a part of his ear.

282. M April, Thu Put Up thy Sword.

Mt 26:52 54 ---- Lk 22:51a Jn 18:11 599c/p.538
Jesus orders, “ Put those weapons away. I order you to do that. If I
wanted, I could have the angels of My Father to defend Me.” To the High Priest’s
servant Jesus says, “And you be cured. In your soul first of all, if you can.”

283. L April, Thu Jesus Heals the Ear of the Servant of the High Priest.
---- ---- Lk 22:51b ---- 599c/p.538
Jesus then heals the servant’s ear. The Disciples are so shocked by Jesus,
actions they are convinced for a moment Jesus must be mad, having betrayed their
trust! Some shout, “He is mad.” Others shout, “You have betrayed us!” [NOTE: We
must remember Jesus had told them to take weapons with them. Now they are
rebuked for trying to use them. They cannot see that this allowance was only for self-
defense, not to defend Him, and that because they did not yet have the faith or love for
their enemies, to endure the threats against them.]

284. M April, Thu Jesus is Seized by the Guards.

---- ---- ---- Jn 18:12 599c/p.539
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 Jesus is seized the second time.

285. M April, Thu The Disciples all Panic and Flee.

Mt 26:56b Mk 14:50 52 ---- ---- 599c/p.539
The Disciples all abandon Jesus and flee for their lives.
599c/p.522 - The Agony and the Arrest at Gethsemane. (Gospel Episodes 271. to
285.)

599d/p.539 - Jesus relates to MV what it was like to endure the agony in the Garden.

The Trials of Jesus Christ / AL 34 [Poem Chapters 600 - 603]

600a/p.544 - Jesus relates to MV the agony of the Passion itself.

286. M April, Thu To Annas, Father-in-Law to Caiaphas.

Mt 26:57a Mk 14:53a Lk 22:54a Jn 18:13 16 600b/p.545
Jesus, taken away to Annas, is yanked and jerked around. He falls hard
against the bridge parapet as they cross the Brook Kidron. His mouth begins to bleed.
People throw garbage in His face. Peter and John hide near the city walls and see
everything. They show themselves to Jesus and He smiles at them. He is led before
Annas, the father-in-law to Caiaphas, and also the High Priest. Peter and John are
present and then they leave.

287. M April, Thu Before Annas, Father-in-Law to Caiaphas.

---- ---- ---- Jn 18:19 23 600b/p.548
Annas asks about Jesus’ doctrine and Disciples. Jesus is struck for His
answer. Jesus questions the abuse. Annas leaves Jesus in custody to meet with
Caiaphas at his residence. John arrives at the door and is allowed in to see Jesus, but
Jesus motions him away by a glance.

288. M April, Thu Annas’ Servant Beat and Mock Jesus Again.
---- ---- Lk 22:63 65 ---- 600b/p.551
Annas’ servants beat and mock Jesus again.

289. M April, Thu Annas Sends Jesus to Caiaphas.

Mt 26:57b, 58 Mk 14:53b, 54Lk 22:54b Jn 18:24 600b/p.551
Annas returns and sends Jesus to Caiaphas, the High Priest. On His way,
Jesus sees Peter and John warming themselves by a fire. As He arrives at Caiaphas’
residence, Gamaliel walks right by Jesus and whispers, “Who are you? Tell me!”
Jesus whispers back, “Read the Prophets and you will find out. They will give you
the first sign; the other one is coming.” Caiaphas opens the meeting and hears the
many charges. With the support of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, Gamaliel
declares the meeting illegal because it is night and in the wrong place. Gamaliel then
walks out of the meeting. Joseph, who threatens to notify the Roman authorities, and
Nicodemus also walk out. Two other leaders, having refused to attend, have already
made Caiaphas furious.

290. M April, Thu Jesus Before Caiaphas.

Mt 26:59 68 Mk 14:55 65 ---- ---- 600b/p.553
Two false witnesses then appear and testify. Jesus makes no reply.
Caiaphas demands that Jesus tell them if He is the Son of the Son of God. Jesus
replies, “You have said it. I am.” He then declares, “And you will see the Son of man
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sitting at the right hand of the power of the Father, come on the clouds of the sky.*”
At this reply, Caiaphas tears his garment. Jesus is struck and spit upon. With His
hands tied, Jesus is tripped several times and falls on His face. This is accompanied
with roars of laughter. After several hours (after midnight) they finally lock Him in a
closet for the rest of the night. *[NOTE: Just as is mentioned over a year before in
177., this is yet another obvious reference to Christ’s Second Coming manifest in the
destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. Speaking to His Apostles and
other disciples the day before (249.), Jesus had predicted this very event. (See also
295. where Jesus again repeats this promise.)]

L APRIL, GOOD FRIDAY

291.Th/Fr Midn’t Peter’s First Denial. Jesus in Custody at Caiaphas’ Court.

Mt 26:69,70 Mk 14:66-68 Lk 22:55-57 Jn 18:17,18 (600b/p.554)
Peter’s first denial to a maidservant of the High Priest is while Jesus is in custody
with Caiaphas. The night passes with Jesus in custody. [NOTE: Many later
manuscripts of Mk have the first cock crowing here, but see note at 294..]

292. FRI, 4 AM Peter’s Second Denial.

Mt 26:71,72 Mk 14:69,70a Lk 22:58 Jn 18:25 (600b/p.554)
About “one hour” (Lk 22:59) before the third denial that took place at
dawn, Peter denies the Lord the second time to another maidservant.

293. FRI, 5 AM Jesus Before the Sanhedrin for a more Legal Trial.
---- ---- Lk 22:66 ---- 600b/p.554
Dawn: Jesus is brought back before the Sanhedrin for a more legal trial.
Since no one has told Mary about Jesus’ arrest, John leaves Peter to break the news to
Her. (See also 608c/p.666)

294. FRI, 5 AM Peter’s Third and Fourth Denial.

Mt 26:73 75 Mk 14:70b 72 Lk 22:59 62 Jn 18:26,27 600b/p.554
Peter’s third denial to a male servant of the High Priest, affirmed by an
oath, takes place at this time, after which the first cock crows. A woman now
approaches Peter. She accuses him and he denies the Lord the fourth time.
Immediately, the cock crows again the second time (Mk 14:72). As Peter turns to run
away, he meets Jesus face to face on His way to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. Jesus’
eyes are filled with infinite compassion and immense grief. Peter walks away,
sobbing. [NOTE: Some ancient and most later manuscripts of Mark have the first
cock crowing after the first denial of Peter long before dawn. Many ancient
manuscripts omit this early crowing in Mark. Maria Valtorta reports that both the first
and second crowings came at dawn after the third denial, just as Matthew, Luke, and
John confirm. See also the third paragraph of 264., covering the confusion created by
Mark’s incomplete account.]

295. FRI, 5 AM Jesus Still Before the Sanhedrin.

Mt 27:1 Mk 15:1a Lk 22:67 71 ---- 600b/p.555
Jesus is on trial before the Sanhedrin again. Jesus again predicts that these
men who are judging him will soon see the evidence of His divine authority. This
would be the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and the resulting triumph of the
Church. (See also 290. and 177.) Jesus is sentenced to death and ordered to stand
before Pilate. At this time, Judas is running through the streets and approaching

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Caiaphas’ house. He then turns and flees. He is attacked by a stray dog (p. 573-574).
Judas thinks it is Satan, and in utter terror runs to Gethsemane (p. 574-576).