Theme 6: "Book of Glory"

Question 1

6.1. Into what parts is the book of glory divided?

Question 2

6.2. What relation is there between the two parts?

Answer 2

the first part is proleptic, meaning that it anticipates and explains the sense (meaning) of the events that will occur in the second part.

Question 3

6.3. From the literary point of view, what element makes Jn 13-17 a dramatic [literary/narrative] unit?

Answer 3

the unity of place (the upper room) and of protagonists (Jesus and the Twelve)

Question 4

6.4. What term is repeated at the beginning and at the end of Jn 13-17?

Answer 4

AGAPE: the love of Jesus for His own who are in the world

Question 5

6.5. Which of the chapters from 13-17 has the closest parallel in the Synoptics?

Answer 5

ch. 13: the narrations of the Supper (cf. Mk 14 and Mt 26)

Question 6

6.6.1. In which chapter is the action of the supper concentrated?

Answer 6

Chapter 13

Question 7

6.6.2. Which words of Jesus are placed at the center of the action of the supper?

Answer 7

the words of the election of Judas, the traitor (Jn 13:18-20)

Jn 13:18-20 – “I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me.”

Question 8

6.7. What mandate does Jesus entrust to His disciples at the supper?

Answer 8

the new command to love one another as Jesus loved them

Question 9

6.8. What gesture of Jesus precedes the mandate as an example?

Answer 9

Washing of the Feet

Question 10

6.9. Who refuses the gift of Jesus?

Answer 10

Peter

[gift understood as the washing of the feet]

Question 11

6.10. How does Jesus respond to denial of foot washing gift?

Answer 11

Jesus says, “What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand….If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.” (Jn 13:7-8)

Question 12

6.11. Why at the end of Jn 13 does Jesus say that the Son of Man has already been glorified?

Answer 12

Because, even though the full glorification would come afterwards on the Cross, already an essential aspect of His love is manifested, namely, its gratuity. Gratuity requires nothing in return. Jesus shows the gratuity of His love by electing Judas, whom he knew full well would betray him.

Question 13

6.12. If the glorification has already happened, what does the crucifixion of Jesus add?

Answer 13

it manifests the greatness of His love, which is the greatest love, which will go till death, for His friends

Question 14

6.13. What is the literary content of Jn 14-16?

Answer 14

it is the farewell discourse of Jesus to His disciples, in which He transmits His spiritual inheritance. These chapters are in the literary genre of “testament” [as in “last will and testament”].

Question 15

6.14. What mandate of Jesus is at the center of Jn 14-16?

Answer 15

the commandment of love (Jn 15:12-17), a reiteration of the one in Jn 13:34-35

Question 16

6.15. In what does the literary genre of “testament” consist?

Answer 16

It consists of FAREWELL DISCOURSES (of one who is departing or dying), through which an important personage hands on his spiritual inheritance to his disciples, sons, etc.

Question 17

6.16 – Cite at least two examples of “testament” in the Old Testament.

Question 18

6.17 – Cite at least one example of “testament” in the apocryphal Jewish literature.

Answer 18

● the testament of the Twelve Patriarchs
● the testament of Abraham
● the testament of Moses

Question 19

6.18 – In what sense can Jn 14-16 be read as the “testament” of Jesus?

Answer 19

● It is the last teaching of Jesus to His disciples in which He insists on love (the central part of the discourse is dedicated to the reiteration of the commandment of love in Jn 15:12-17)

● Furthermore, in the discourse, Jesus anticipates and explains what is about to happen, both His being lifted up on the Cross, His death, and His resurrection, as well as the persecutions and exclusion from the Jewish community that the apostles and early Church will experience

Question 20

6.19 – In what does Jn 17 consist?

Answer 20

It is a prayer that Jesus addresses to the Father, asking that He glorify Him and praying for the Twelve and for those who will believe through their word

Question 21

6.20. – How is Jn 17 distinguished from Jn 14-16?

Answer 21

[Jn 17] – Jesus addresses the FATHER

[Jn 14-16] – He addresses the DISCIPLES

Question 22

6.21. – What is changed at the end of Jn 17?

Answer 22

In Chapter 16, the disciples already knew that the Father had sent Jesus.
In Chapter 17, the novelty is . . . that the glory, knowledge, and love of Jesus is in his disciples?

[Work in Progress]

Question 23

6.22. – What do the Church Fathers call Jn 17?

Answer 23

the Priestly Prayer of Jesus