Fr. Robert P. Imbelli: Jesus’ Defining Desire

By Fr. Robert P. Imbelli, The Catholic Thing, April 17, 2025

Robert P. Imbelli is a priest of the Archdiocese of New York. His collected essays and reflections, some of which first appeared at The Catholic Thing, have recently been published as Christ Brings All Newness (Word on Fire Academic).

Two of the most moving words in the entire New Testament occur at the beginning of St. Luke’s narrative of the Last Supper. “And when the hour came, he reclined at table with the apostles and said to them: ‘How deeply have I desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer’.” (Luke 22:14-15) My translation here – “how deeply have I desired” – seeks to express Jesus’ consuming longing, which Luke’s Greek conveys by repeating the word “desire” as both noun and verb: “epithumia epethumēsa.” With desire have I desired to eat this Passover with you!

Two words that provide a privileged window into both the aim of Jesus and into the early Church’s experience of the unique relationship of Christians to their Savior. They resonate with and are complemented by other words of the Lord revealing a like intention and goal. …

Continue reading >>>>>>>>>