“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

In Gethsemane, Christ grapples with the weight of the impending betrayal and crucifixion. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Even in this moment of deep anguish, Christ turns to prayer, demonstrating a model of trust in the Father.

The darkest hours of Christ’s Passion, from the agonizing moments in the Garden of Gethsemane to the heartbreaking cry on the Cross, were not void of hope. They were the crucible through which hope emerged triumphant. St. Paul captures this paradox beautifully in Romans 5:3-5: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Let us contemplate the depth of Christ’s Passion, acknowledging the shadows of despair while eagerly anticipating the radiant dawn of hope.

This exclusive series of devotions by Canadian guest authors explores how to draw strength from the Word, find solace in prayer, and cultivate a resilient hope that mirrors what Christ found in the darkest hours of the Cross.

Read the devotions