Almost everybody in BLD knows the “Our Father” and the “Hail Mary” by heart. After last Saturday, about 150 members who attended a lecture about these prayers now know them even more intimately than before.
Dr. Gregory Glazov, an Associate Professor at Seton Hall University, gave the lecture last Saturday afternoon at St. Mark’s Church in Rahway.
Dr. Gregory Glazov, an Associate Professor at Seton Hall University, gave the lecture last Saturday afternoon at St. Mark’s Church in Rahway.
He started out by showing three versions of the “Hail Mary” – the “Western” which we’re most acquainted with; the “Eastern” which does not have the second part (the “Holy Mary” petition); and the “Oriental” where the leader says the first line and everyone responds with the rest of the full prayer, and from there is just slightly different from the Western version.
He then explored its various components, from the initial “Hail” to the role of Mary as “the Ark”, on to the biblical meanings associated with “now” and “the hour”. Using insights from years as a bible scholar, he guided attendees to a deeper understanding of Mary’s specialness, both as a woman and as a Mother, and how she is still fully living, and thus, can hear our petitions. He emphasized how she was “overshadowed by the Holy Spirit” and how the blessings she received have made her, also a source of blessings.
The segment on “the Lord’s Prayer” also started with a comparison of versions, the prayer in Matthew vs. Luke (and an even shorter one in Mark), noteworthy of which was the reference to “debt” instead of “sin” by the evangelist who was a former tax collector. Dr. Glazov then discussed the intimacy of Jesus with the Father through the Holy Spirit that is in the prayer. Equating mercy to perfection, he talked about asking for and receiving forgiveness, with the Holy Spirit central to the prayer since He is the Spirit of Forgiveness.
Using the parable of the sower, the professor pointed out the overriding importance of “the fruit of the Word”, as opposed to the seed. And how “hallowing the Father” involves bringing others to Him - “on earth as it is in heaven”… by forgiving as He forgives us.
Following the lecture, a Mass, celebrated by Father Paul for the Feast of the Holy Trinity, provided a resounding “AMEN!!!”
He then explored its various components, from the initial “Hail” to the role of Mary as “the Ark”, on to the biblical meanings associated with “now” and “the hour”. Using insights from years as a bible scholar, he guided attendees to a deeper understanding of Mary’s specialness, both as a woman and as a Mother, and how she is still fully living, and thus, can hear our petitions. He emphasized how she was “overshadowed by the Holy Spirit” and how the blessings she received have made her, also a source of blessings.
The segment on “the Lord’s Prayer” also started with a comparison of versions, the prayer in Matthew vs. Luke (and an even shorter one in Mark), noteworthy of which was the reference to “debt” instead of “sin” by the evangelist who was a former tax collector. Dr. Glazov then discussed the intimacy of Jesus with the Father through the Holy Spirit that is in the prayer. Equating mercy to perfection, he talked about asking for and receiving forgiveness, with the Holy Spirit central to the prayer since He is the Spirit of Forgiveness.
Using the parable of the sower, the professor pointed out the overriding importance of “the fruit of the Word”, as opposed to the seed. And how “hallowing the Father” involves bringing others to Him - “on earth as it is in heaven”… by forgiving as He forgives us.
Following the lecture, a Mass, celebrated by Father Paul for the Feast of the Holy Trinity, provided a resounding “AMEN!!!”