Episode 1752: And his sweat became like drops of blood

Luke 22:39-44
"And going out, he went, according to his custom, to the Mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him. And when he had arrived at the place, he said to them: 'Pray, lest you enter into temptation.' And he went apart from them, about a stone's throw. And kneeling down, he prayed, saying: 'Father, if you are willing, take this chalice away from me. Yet let not my will be done, but yours.' Then an angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed more intensely. And his sweat became like drops of blood, running down to the ground."Show more

Now stop and think about it. Christ was just with his apostles at What do the great saints and writers of the Catholic Church say about "And his sweat became like drops of blood, running down to the ground"
St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274): saw the sweating of blood as a result of the extreme mental and emotional agony that Christ experienced. He believed that this phenomenon, known as hematidrosis, occurs when a person is under severe stress.
But what did St Bridget say?
St. Bridget of Sweden (1303–1373) is one of the mystics known for having had visions related to the suffering of Christ, including the events in the Garden of Gethsemane. She claimed to have received mystical revelations and visions from an early age.

According to the accounts of St. Bridget's visions, she experienced detailed insights into the Passion of Christ. In her revelations, she described the agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, including the moment when his sweat became like drops of blood. These visions were compiled in a work known as the "Revelations of St. Bridget" or the "Bridgettine Revelations."

The "Revelations of St. Bridget," also known as the "Bridgettine Revelations," is a collection of mystical visions and revelations that Saint Bridget of Sweden claimed to have received from our Lord Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and various saints. St. Bridget, a 14th-century mystic and visionary, reported these experiences in a series of books that were later compiled as the "Revelations."
Here is an overview of the main themes and contents of the Revelations of St. Bridget:

Passion of Christ: A huge portion of St. Bridget's revelations revolves around the Passion of Christ. She claimed to have received detailed visions of the events leading up to and including the Crucifixion. These visions included scenes from the life of Jesus, his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, and the actual crucifixion.

Dialogues with Jesus: St. Bridget described conversations and dialogues that she had with Jesus during her mystical experiences. These dialogues cover a wide range of topics, including the importance of humility, the mercy of God, the reality of sin, and the need for repentance.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons: The Revelations contain numerous moral and spiritual teachings conveyed through the visions. St. Bridget emphasized the virtues of humility, charity, and obedience, urging Christians to live righteous lives in accordance with the teachings of the Gospel.

Warnings and Prophecies: St. Bridget's revelations also include warnings about sin, the consequences of a sinful life, and the need for repentance. Additionally, she claimed to have received prophecies about future events and the fate of individuals and nations.

Devotion to the Passion and the Virgin Mary: St. Bridget's mysticism was deeply rooted in a profound devotion to the Passion of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Her writings encouraged a contemplative and meditative approach to the suffering of Jesus and emphasized the role of Mary in the Christian life.

The Revelations of St. Bridget were widely circulated in medieval Europe and had a major influence on devotional practices. St. Bridget was canonized by Pope Boniface IX in 1391, and her writings, including the Revelations, have been studied by theologians and spiritual writers over the centuries. While her mystical experiences are venerated, they are not considered part of the official doctrine of the Catholic Church.

But let us do a deeper dive into his Passion around his agony in the garden as I previously mentioned.
St. Bridget's visions of the Passion of Christ, as recorded in the Revelations, are vivid and detailed depictions of the events leading up to and including the Crucifixion.

The Agony in the Garden: St. Bridget described the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed before His arrest. She depicted the intensity of Christ's emotional and physical anguish, including the moment when his sweat became like drops of blood. This is reminiscent of the Gospel account in Luke 22:44.
While the Gospel narratives, particularly in Luke 22:39-46, provide a brief overview of this event, mystics like St. Bridget offer more detailed and personalized insights. It is important to remember that these descriptions are part of her subjective mystical experiences.

In St. Bridget's visions of the Agony in the Garden:

Intense Sorrow and Foreknowledge: St. Bridget conveyed the immense sorrow and distress that Jesus felt as He entered the Garden of Gethsemane. She emphasized His perfect foreknowledge of the impending events, including His betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion. Jesus was aware of the profound suffering He was about to endure for the salvation of humanity.

Isolation and Loneliness: St. Bridget depicted Jesus withdrawing from His disciples and seeking solitude in the garden. This isolation underscores the loneliness and burden of His redemptive mission. Despite having His disciples nearby, Jesus faced the weight of His destiny in solitude.

Intense Prayer and Submission to God's Will: St. Bridget described Jesus falling to the ground and engaging in fervent prayer. She highlighted His complete submission to the will of the Father, as expressed in His prayer, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). This moment reflects the human struggle of Jesus and His willingness to undergo the suffering required for the salvation of humanity.

The Appearance of an Angel: St. Bridget mentioned the presence of an angel who came to strengthen and comfort Jesus during His agony. This angelic visitation is not explicitly described in the Gospel accounts but is a common element in some mystical traditions.

Sweating Blood: St. Bridget, like the Gospel of Luke, described Jesus' sweat becoming like drops of blood. This imagery is a powerful symbol of the intensity of His mental and emotional anguish. Some theologians interpret this phenomenon as a rare medical condition known as hematidrosis, where capillary blood vessels break under extreme stress.
Here are some details and perspectives on the concept of "sweating blood":

Biblical Account (Luke 22:44): The Gospel of Luke provides the primary biblical reference to Jesus' sweat becoming like drops of blood. This vivid imagery is a powerful depiction of the extreme emotional and psychological distress that Jesus experienced as He confronted the weight of His impending crucifixion and the burden of the sins of humanity.

Hematidrosis: The medical term associated with sweating blood is hematidrosis or hemosiderosis. This condition is extremely rare and involves the excretion of blood through the sweat glands. Under intense stress or anguish, the small blood vessels near the sweat glands may rupture, leading to the presence of blood in the sweat. While some medical experts debate the likelihood of hematidrosis, it is generally accepted that severe stress can indeed lead to various physiological responses.

Theological and Mystical Interpretations: Theological and mystical interpretations of the sweating of blood often emphasize the intensity of Jesus' emotional and spiritual suffering. Mystics and theologians, including figures like St. Bridget of Sweden, have reflected on the Agony in the Garden as a moment of profound union with the human experience, where Christ fully embraced the consequences of sin and the impending sacrifice for the redemption of humanity.

Symbolism of Blood: The inclusion of blood in this context symbolizes the sacrificial nature of Jesus' impending death on the cross. Blood is a powerful symbol in Christian theology, representing both the shedding of Christ's blood for the forgiveness of sins and the new covenant between God and humanity.

Psychological Stress: Some scholars also emphasize the psychological stress that Jesus experienced in the face of His mission. The anticipation of the crucifixion, betrayal, and separation from the Father would have been overwhelming, contributing to the extreme mental and emotional anguish depicted in the biblical narrative.
Overall, St. Bridget's account of the Agony in the Garden emphasizes the humanity of Jesus, His deep inner struggles, and His perfect submission to the divine will in fulfilling the redemptive plan for humanity. These details are intended to inspire contemplation and a deeper understanding of the profound sacrifice made by Christ for the sake of salvation.
In another episode I do want to go into
The Betrayal by Judas:
The Trial and Scourging:
The Way of the Cross:
The Crucifixion:
The Death and Resurrection:
But for today I simply want to reflect on his sweating of blood because by the single act alone he could have provided us with our salvation because did he not shed blood? But no he took it all the way through
The Betrayal by Judas:
The Trial and Scourging:
The Way of the Cross:
The Crucifixion:
The Death and Resurrection:
So when you think you are struggling with your faith, or you just do not feel you have it in you, or you feel like you are backsliding in your faith just think out his sweating of blood for you. For you! Then you will realize that every day every single day you must take up your cross and follow Christ’s example by praying constantly, When you stop praying you forget that a man shed every drop of his blood from the sweating of it to the scourging of it, to the loss at the crowning, the carrying of the cross to the piercing of his sacred heart on the cross and then ask yourself “Am I really appreciative of what he endured for me”?
Now go out there and tell everyone you meet “A man sweet blood and died on a cross for you” and maybe you will convert somebody. Good Day