A: Before the crucifixion, as Jesus Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Evangelist Luke noted: "And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like drops of blood falling upon the ground" (Luke 22:44).
Although this malady is considered relatively rare, what Luke – who was a well-educated physician – bears witness to is a physiological phenomenon known as "hematohidrosis." Around the sweat glands there are multiple blood vessels that form a net-like mesh. Under the pressure of great stress these vessels constrict, but as the anxiety passes, the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. This blood is then absorbed by the hyperactive glands, mixes with the sweat, and is pushed to the surface – coming out as droplets of blood.
Because this affliction occurs only under the most excruciatingly stressful circumstances, Luke's inclusion of this fact testifies to the extremely intense spiritual agony our Lord suffered as He anticipated the Passion.
Fr. John
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