Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings

“Amen! Come, Lord Jesus”

As we look forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (next Sunday), our readings today are a series of last words. We hear the last words of St. Stephen as he was stoned to death, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

We hear the last words of St. John at the end of the Book of Revelation as he awaits the second coming of our Lord, “Amen! Come Lord Jesus!”; and we hear the very last words Jesus spoke to His disciples before going out into the night to His arrest and crucifixion, known as the High Priestly Prayer.

In our first reading (Acts 7:55-60), we hear of the first recorded martyr for Christ, St. Stephen, the Deacon. He was arrested for working “great signs and wonders among the people” and for speaking in Christ’s name. He was stoned to death as a blasphemer, even as he called out to God to forgive them. In his death as in his life, he was the ultimate model of Christ.

Our second reading (Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20) is from the very end of the Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. John tells of the second coming of Christ, who is the beginning and the end. In a series of “I AM” statements, Christ tells us who He is and that He is coming soon.

Our Gospel reading (John 17:20-26) is taken from the climax of Jesus’ farewell discourse at the Last Supper. It is sometimes called the High Priestly Prayer, as Jesus turned His attention to His Father. He prayed an intercessory prayer for His disciples and for those who would come to believe through them. These were the last words spoken by Jesus before He went out to the Garden of Gethsemane. His prayer is for unity, that all may be one, even as Jesus and the Father are one, and that they may believe that the Father sent Him.

As we look forward to and await the coming of the Lord when our world, as we know it, will end, we sometimes can get the idea that Jesus has not yet come. The end times is Jesus’ final coming, when He will bring ”the recompense to each according to his deeds.” But it is not His only coming. He came to us a humble, defenseless infant at His birth in a manger; and He came to us at Pentecost in the person of His Holy Spirit. He came to us on the cross as He gave His very life for our salvation. He comes to us every day in the Eucharist; and He comes to us every time we call upon Him in need. “Amen! Come Lord Jesus!”

bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060125.cfm