The Host of Gethsemane

In the Agony in the Garden described in the Gospels, Jesus's invitation to "stay here and keep watch with me" illuminates Him as the "Host/host" of Gethsemane. This role is displayed in several ways, in that "host" is simultaneously He who welcomes and receives others as guests to join Him in the garden; He the Eucharistic "Host," the Living Bread of the Last Supper just concluded; He the "host life" on, in, and through which we live. Also, we, the host (or large number) of faithful souls in the Church, are individually called as guests through prayer, to enter the actual garden of Gethsemane by the grace of God who transcends time and space that we may keep our sorrowful Host/host company, sweetening his "cup of blessing which we bless" through staying awake (watching, adoring).

This book shows how an understanding of Jesus as Host/host in the scriptural accounts of the Garden of Gethsemane can contribute to the field of Eucharistic Theology, and from that, Eucharistic devotion. The importance of Eucharistic Adoration and receiving the Eucharist at the Sacrifice of the Mass will be established through a literary exegetical critique of the Agony in the Garden in the four Gospel accounts, and an examination of the many meanings of the word Host/host. This shows how, like the apostles, we, the faithful host (a large number of people) are invited personally by Jesus (the Host) to be His guests and keep Him company, in a true host-guest relationship (all elements of which will be explored). The Gethsemane narrative is therefore relevant to Eucharistic Theology and the ongoing invitation from Jesus as the Host/host (in Gethsemane and in the Eucharist).