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

“Father, The Hour Has Come”

Now that Jesus had prepared His disciples for His death and return to the Father, the time for their preparation was over. Jesus now turned His prayer directly to His Father in what is known as the High Priestly Prayer (John Chapter 17). Our readings today reflect the final days before the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (next Sunday).

In our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 1:12-14): After Jesus ascended into heaven, the eleven apostles returned to Jerusalem at Jesus’ instruction and awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete). As they waited, they and the disciples “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer.”

In our Epistle reading (1 Peter 4:13-16), Peter spoke of the persecutions that were happening in Jerusalem. Peter teaches us that in Christ, suffering and glory are inextricably linked; and so it is with us, especially those who suffer for the name of Christ. St. Peter considered suffering for one’s faith as a blessing and cause for joy. “Whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.”

Our Gospel passage is from the Gospel of John (John 17:1-11).During the last few Sundays, we heard from Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, as Jesus prepared the apostles for His death and return to the Father, and for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Now, in this passage, the apostles overhear Jesus as He turns His focus directly to His Father in a final passionate and intimate prayer. Jesus reaffirmed His suffering as a blessing and “glorification” so that He may “give eternal life to all you gave him”. He then prayed for His disciples and for the Church that would follow. This happened at the end of the Last Supper, shortly before His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and His arrest.

Just as the disciples gathered in the upper room to await the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, so we await as well. During next Sunday’s Mass,we will remember Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit into our world, to be our advocate, teacher, and guide. The Spirit will lead us home to the Father and to Jesus. Along the journey to our home of glory is our own passion, suffering, and death.May we see it as an opportunity to unite our suffering with the suffering of Jesus and, through our suffering, rejoice and find meaning, purpose, and glory.

bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051026.cfm