"It is of no use," said Simon gloomily, "his purpose is fixed."
Then said Jesus to his mother, tenderly beholding her, "My hour is come."
All the disciples cried, "Oh, ask the Father that he should let it pass by."
Then all the women said, "The Father has always listened to thee."
But Jesus said: "How is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father, deliver me from this hour! But for this hour came I into the world."
But Mary hearing him, exclaimed as in a trance, "Oh, venerable Simon, now will be fulfilled that which thou once prophesied to me, 'A sword shall pierce through thine own soul!'" And as she spoke Mary Magdalene gently supported her from falling.
Jesus said in terms of gentle reproach, "Mother, the will of the Father was also ever sacred to thee." His word rallied her courage and she replied, "It is so to me still. I am the handmaid of the Lord. What he requires of me I will bear patiently. But one thing I beg of thee, my son."
"What desirest thou, my mother?"
"That I may go with thee into the fierce conflict of suffering, yea, even unto death!"
"Oh, what love!" exclaimed John, who stood tearfully beside the two Marys, wistfully looking for some ray of hope to illumine the darkness beyond.