ss. In
his overwhelming sorrow, he remained with them nearly a quarter of an
hour, and spoke to them again. He then returned to the grotto, his
mental sufferings being still on the increase, while his disciples, on
their part, stretched forth their hands towards him, wept, and embraced
each other, asking, 'What can it be? What is happening to him? He appears
to be in a state of complete desolation.' After this, they covered their
heads, and began to pray, sorrowfully and anxiously.

About an hour and a half had passed since Jesus entered the Garden
of Olives. It is true that Scripture tells us he said, 'Could you not
watch one hour with me?' but his words should not be taken literally, nor
according to our way of counting time. The three Apostles who were with
Jesus had prayed at first, but then they had fallen asleep, for
temptation had come upon them by reason of their want of trust in God.
The other eight, who had remained outside the garden, did not sleep,
for our Lord's last words, so expressive of suffering and sadness, had
filled their hearts with sinister forebodings, and they wandered about
Mount Olivet, trying to find some place of refuge in case of danger.

The town of Jerusalem was very quiet; the Jews were in their houses,
engaged in preparing for the feast, but I saw, here and there, some of
the friends and disciples of Jesus walking to and fro, with anxious
countenances, conversing earnestly together, and evidently expecting
some great event. The Mother of our Lord, Magdalen, Martha, Mary of
Cleophas, Mary Salome, and Salome had gone from the supper-hall to the
house of Mary, the mother of Mark. Mary was alarmed at the reports
which were spreading, and wished to return to the town with her
friends, in order to hear something of Jesus. Lazarus, Nicodemus,
Joseph of Arimathea, and some relations from Hebron, came to see and
endeavour to tranquillise her, for as they were aware, either from
their own knowledge or from what the disciples had told them, of the
mournful predictions which Jesus had made in the supper-room, they had
made inquiries of some Pharisees of their acquaintance, and had not
been able to hear that any conspiracy was on foot for the time against
our Lord. Being utterly ignorant of the treason of Judas, they assured
Mary that the danger could not yet be very great, and that the enemies
of Jesus would not make any attempt upon his person, at least until the
festival was over. Mary told them