"BEHOLD, I AM COMING SOON"

Mural painting from the catacomb of Commodilla. Bust of Christ.

“Behold, I am coming soon,” says the Lord,
“and bringing my reward with me,
to give to everyone according to their deeds.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last,
the beginning and the end.”
Blessed are those who do God’s commandments,
that they may have the right to the tree of life,
and may enter the city through the gates.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you,
with this testimony for all the churches.
“I am the root and the offspring of David,
I am the bright morning star.”
“Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride;
“Come!” let each hearer reply!
Come forward, you who are thirsty,
let those who desire take the water of life as a gift.

Revelation 22:12-17

When I read the words, "Behold, I am coming soon," in the Daily Office today, I felt a quickening, because the words are for today, not for the End Times or for the Second Coming.  The words mean that Jesus comes to us right here and right now, wherever we are physically and spiritually, to freely give us the water of life.

Image from Wikipedia.