Prayer of Christ

When the Word, proceeding from the Father as the splendor of his glory, came to give us all a share in God's life, "Christ Jesus, High Priest of the new and eternal covenant, taking human nature, introduced into this earthly exile the hymn of praise that is sung throughout all ages in the halls of heaven." (SC art. 83.) From then on in Christ's heart the praise of God assumes a human sound in words of adoration, expiation, and intercession, presented to the Father by the Head of the new humanity, the Mediator between God and his people, in the name of all and for the good of all.

In his goodness the Son of God, who is one with his Father (see Jn 10:30) and who on entering the world said: "Here I am! I come, God, to do your will" (Heb 10:9; see Jn 6:38), has left us the lesson of his own prayer. The Gospels many times show us Christ at prayer: when his mission is revealed by the Father (See Lk 3:21-22 ); before he calls the apostles (See Lk 6:12); when he blesses God at the multiplication of the loaves (See Mt 14:19, 15:36; Mk 6:41, 8:7; Lk 9:16; Jn 6:11); when he is transfigured on the mountain (See Lk 9:28-29); when he heals the deaf-mute (See Mk 7:34); when he raises Lazarus (See Jn 11:41ff); before he asks for Peter's confession of faith (See Lk 9:18); when he teaches the disciples how to pray (Lk 11:2); when the disciples return from their mission (See Mt 11:25.ff; Lk 10:21ff); when he blesses the little children See (Mt 19:13); when he prays for Peter (See Lk 22:32).

The work of each day was closely bound up with his prayer, indeed flowed out from it: he would retire into the desert or into the hills to pray (See Mk 1:35, 6:46; Lk 5:16), rise very early (See Mk 1:35) or spend the night up to the fourth watch (See Mt 14:23 and 25; Lk 6:12) in prayer to God.

We are right in thinking that he took part both in public prayers: in the synagogues, which he entered on the Sabbath "as his custom was" (See Lk 4:16) in the temple, which he called a house of prayer (See Mt 21:13), and in the private prayers that for devout Israelites were a daily practice. He used the traditional blessings of God at meals, as is expressly mentioned in connection with the multiplication of the loaves, (See Mt 14:19 and par.; Mt 15:36 and par) the last supper (See Mt 26:26 and par.) and the meal at Emmaus (See Lk 24:30). He also joined with the disciples in a hymn of praise (See Mt 26:30 and par.)

To the very end of his life, as his passion was approaching (See Jn 12:27ff.), at the last supper (See Jn 17:1-26), in the agony in the garden (See Mt 26:36-44 and par. ), and on the cross (See Lk 23:34 and 46; Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34), the divine teacher showed that prayer was the soul of his Messianic ministry and paschal death. "In the days of his life on earth he offered up prayers and entreaties with loud cries and tears to the one who could deliver him from death and because of his reverence his prayer was heard" (Heb 5:7). By a single offering on the altar of the cross "he has made perfect forever those who are being sanctified" (Heb 10-14). Raised from the dead, he lives for ever, making intercession for us (See Heb 7:25).

Taken from The general Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours

Posted by Carlos J. Medina, Novice