A conversation between a son and his father

2 October 19900 Comments

The lecture interprets Christ’s discourse with the Father in John 17, clarifying the theological and human aspects of Christ’s words, the meaning of His prayer, and the depth of His salvific mission. His Holiness explains how Christ, though perfect in His divinity, prayed, fasted, and was baptized to fulfill all righteousness on behalf of humanity. He also explains the meaning of “the hour” and its connection to the Cross and redemption, and presents a wide spiritual reflection on knowing God as the essence of eternal life.

1. Why Did Christ Pray? (Full Divinity and Full Humanity)

– His Holiness explains that some stumble seeing Christ pray because they think only of His divinity.
– But Christ is perfect in His divinity and perfect in His humanity, and to be complete in His humanity He had to pray, fast, and be baptized.
– Everything He did in His humanity He did on behalf of humanity to fulfill all righteousness.

2. Christ as Representative of Humanity

– When Christ prayed, humanity prayed in Him.
– When He fasted, humanity fasted in Him.
– When He was baptized, humanity was baptized in Him.
– Thus Christ became the representative of humanity in righteousness, obedience, and redemption.

3. Declaring Divinity and Giving Human Example

– In His words Christ declared His divinity, such as saying: “I and the Father are one.”
– In His prayer and fasting He gave an example for humanity, a model to follow.

4. “He Lifted His Eyes to Heaven”

– This does not mean God is limited to heaven; it is a symbolic gesture of directing the heart toward God.
– God is present everywhere and is not confined by location.

5. “The Hour Has Come” — The Hour of the Cross and Redemption

– His Holiness explains that this hour is the beginning of the crucifixion.
– Christ went to the garden willingly, knowing they would arrest Him, thus giving Himself up to death.
– In this hour He would:

Carry the sins of the world
Offer perfect obedience unto death
Present Himself as a burnt offering and sin offering
Pay the price of human sin

6. Divine Glory in the Cross

– “Glorify Your Son so Your Son may glorify You.”
– Glory here is not worldly glory but the glory of sacrifice and obedience.
– Just as martyrs’ glory is in their suffering, Christ’s glory was in the Cross that saved humanity.

7. Christ’s Authority for Universal Salvation

– The Son was given authority over all flesh to grant eternal life to all who believe in Him.
– Redemption is for all nations, not only for the Jews.
– Faith and acceptance are the entrance to eternal life.

8. “This Is Eternal Life: That They May Know You”

– This knowledge is not merely believing in God’s existence but a deep experiential knowledge.
– Knowing God surpasses reason and is filled with awe, love, and divine beauty.
– Human language is incapable of describing the unlimited God.
– Eternal life is a continual growth in knowing God without end.

9. Levels of Knowing God

– Knowing God through fear (as in the Old Testament).
– Knowing God through love and divine compassion (as in the New Testament).
– Experiential knowledge beyond intellectual concepts.
– Even saints and prophets did not fully comprehend God.

10. A Call to Know God Now

– His Holiness urges believers to begin knowing God now through:

Scripture
Personal relationship with God
Lives of the saints
Nature, which declares God’s glory
– Knowing God is more precious than all worldly knowledge.

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