577. What is the prayer of the Hour of Jesus? (part 2 continuation)

577. What is the prayer of the Hour of Jesus? (part 2 continuation)    

(Comp 577 repetition) It is called the priestly prayer of Jesus at the Last Supper. Jesus, the High Priest of the New Covenant, addresses it to his Father when the hour of his sacrifice, the hour of his “passing over” to him is approaching.

“In brief”

(CCC 2758) The prayer of the hour of Jesus, rightly called the "priestly prayer" (cf. Jn 17), sums up the whole economy of creation and salvation. It fulfills the great petitions of the Our Father.

To deepen and explain

(CCC 2749) Jesus fulfilled the work of the Father completely; his prayer, like his sacrifice, extends until the end of time. The prayer of this hour fills the end-times and carries them toward their consummation. Jesus, the Son to whom the Father has given all things, has given himself wholly back to the Father, yet expresses himself with a sovereign freedom (Cf. Jn 17:11, 13, 19, 24) by virtue of the power the Father has given him over all flesh. The Son, who made himself Servant, is Lord, the Pantocrator. Our high priest who prays for us is also the one who prays in us and the God who hears our prayer.

Reflection

(CCC 2750) By entering into the holy name of the Lord Jesus we can accept, from within, the prayer he teaches us: "Our Father!" His priestly prayer fulfills, from within, the great petitions of the Lord's Prayer: concern for the Father's name (Cf. Jn 17:6, 11, 12, 26); passionate zeal for his kingdom (glory) (Cf. Jn 17:1, 5, 10, 22, 23-26); the accomplishment of the will of the Father, of his plan of salvation (Cf. Jn 17:2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 24); and deliverance from evil (Cf. Jn 17:15). [END]  

(Next question: What is the origin of the Our Father?)