D-V's Desk

  "Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum, fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra.             Who could understand what I said?   (No offense, John, you have an unfair advantage).   Anyone else besides John?   Perhaps the cadence gave it away.   I was praying part of the Lord’s Prayer in Latin!   Very fitting on this day of Pentecost.   Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church.           Pentecost tells us that 50 days have passed Easter.   That is how we get the name, Pentecost.   Pente fifty.   Cost days.   The festival of Pentecost (or weeks) has its roots in the Jewish tradition.   Pentecost is one of the three high holy days of obligation, along with Passover and The Festival of Booths.   The festival explains the diverse audie...

  Let’s get some context here.   This is the end of Jesus’ “high priestly” prayer.   Jesus and his friends have shared a meal together.   Jesus has washed their feet and given them the commandment to “love one another.”   Judas has left the group to betray Jesus.   Jesus brings the other disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.             Jesus prays for the coming hours.   Jesus knows the betrayal and suffering that are ahead.   Jesus initially prays for the cup to pass.   To not undergo the fate that awaits Him.   A very natural and human response.   But, then Jesus also prays for the strength and courage to endure—Your will, God, not mine Jesus prays in the Garden (see Luke 22:39-46)             At such a time, it reasonable for Jesus to only think of Himself.   Yet Jesus spends a significant time praying ...