Today, we contemplate the fundamental elements of the public life of Jesus: the announcement of the Kingdom (and His teachings), the achievement of signs which reveal Him (the miracles) and the prayer. To understand Jesus it is essential to consider the variety of references to the fact that He would withdraw —sometimes the whole night— to pray “alone” to the Father. This “prayer” of Jesus is the dialogue between Son and Father.

He lives in the face of God as Son; He lives in the utmost intimacy with the Father. Only starting from this statement can we truly understand Jesus and find out the final source of His actions, teachings and suffering. His listener’s reaction was obvious: that doctrine doesn’t come from any school; it is completely different from whatever could be learned at the schools; it is an explanation “with authority”.

—Lord, I understand and confess that Your doctrine doesn’t come from human teachings but from Your intimate contact with the Father, from the “face to face” dialogue with Your Father-God.