During his homily on Sunday at Mass in the Grotto of Gethsemane, Father Adrian Porras spoke of our need to seek God's will, not our own, in everything that we do.
Jesus' public ministry comes to a crescendo when He enters Jerusalem, Father Adrian noted – and the ultimate purpose of His life was not just to teach or to heal, but to redeem us from death and sin through His death on the cross and His resurrection. Our salvation is made possible by His ultimate sacrifice.
"Sacrifice, that's a word that we should always attach to the Mass," Father Adrian said.
And it's important to remember, he said, that Jesus did not come just to save the people who lived in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.
"He gave His life for us. Think to yourself: He also came here for you." That means every soul who ever lived and everyone who ever will live.
God keeps each one of us close to His heart, Father Adrian emphasized.
"What he accomplished here is meant to help us go back to Him for all eternity."
All of Jesus' actions culminated in Jerusalem with His sacrifice, to redeem us through the shedding of His blood, the blood of the Lamb that we re-present during every Mass.
And it was in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the spot where the pilgrims celebrated Mass today, where Jesus prayed before His Passion and death. It was painful for Him, and at one point He asked to be spared from what He knew was going to happen.
But – most importantly – Jesus ended His prayers the same way we should always end our prayers, Father Adrian preached.
"No matter what we seek in our lives, even when we're praying for something to happen – especially for someone to live, to get over a disease, or a tragedy – our prayers should always end: 'Not as I will, but as You will.'
"If we truly believe in His will, then we know that all that happens in life is Providence."
Watch more of his homily:
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