Daily Readings - Sun May 23 2021
Acts
1And when the days of Pentecost were completed, they were all together in the same place2And suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, like that of a wind approaching violently, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting3And there appeared to them separate tongues, as if of fire, which settled upon each one of them4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they began to speak in various languages, just as the Holy Spirit bestowed eloquence to them5Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, pious men from every nation that is under heaven6And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused in mind, because each one was listening to them speaking in his own language7Then all were astonished, and they wondered, saying: "Behold, are not all of these who are speaking Galileans8And how is it that we have each heard them in our own language, into which we were born9Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who inhabit Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya which are around Cyrene, and new arrivals of the Romans11likewise Jews and new converts, Cretans and Arabs: we have heard them speaking in our own languages the mighty deeds of God.
First Reading - 1 Corinthians 12.3b-7, 12-13 or Galatians 5.16-25
1 Corinthians
3Because of this, I would have you know that no one speaking in the Spirit of God utters a curse against Jesus. And no one is able to say that Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit4Truly, there are diverse graces, but the same Spirit5And there are diverse ministries, but the same Lord6And there are diverse works, but the same God, who works everything in everyone7However, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one toward what is beneficial12For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ13And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit
Galatians
16So then, I say: Walk in the spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh17For the flesh desires against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. And since these are against one another, you may not do whatever you want18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law19Now the works of the flesh are manifest; they are: fornication, lust, homosexuality, self-indulgence20the serving of idols, drug use, hostility, contentiousness, jealousy, wrath, quarrels, dissensions, divisions21envy, murder, inebriation, carousing, and similar things. About these things, I continue to preach to you, as I have preached to you: that those who act in this way shall not obtain the kingdom of God22But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, forbearance23meekness, faith, modesty, abstinence, chastity. There is no law against such things24For those who are Christ’s have crucified their flesh, along with its vices and desires25If we live by the Spirit, we should also walk by the Spirit
Gospel - John 20.19-23 or John 15.26-27; 16.12-15
John
19Then, when it was late on the same day, on the first of the Sabbaths, and the doors were closed where the disciples were gathered, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and he said to them: "Peace to you.20And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and side. And the disciples were gladdened when they saw the Lord21Therefore, he said to them again: "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.22When he had said this, he breathed on them. And he said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit23Those whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and those whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.
John
12I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them now13But when the Spirit of truth has arrived, he will teach the whole truth to you. For he will not be speaking from himself. Instead, whatever he will hear, he will speak. And he will announce to you the things that are to come14He shall glorify me. For he will receive from what is mine, and he will announce it to you15All things whatsoever that the Father has are mine. For this reason, I said that he will receive from what is mine and that he will announce it to you
Sermon
The readings today take us on a journey through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the unity of the Body of Christ, and the mission entrusted to the disciples. In the first reading from Acts, we witness the dramatic event of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in various languages. This moment marks the Church's birth and the beginning of its universal mission. The second reading from Corinthians reminds us that while spiritual gifts are diverse, they all originate from the same Spirit, emphasizing unity amidst diversity. The Gospel from John shows Jesus commissioning His disciples, breathing the Holy Spirit upon them, and granting them the authority to forgive sins, underscoring the continuation of His mission through them.
These readings are deeply interconnected. Pentecost in Acts is the fulfillment of Jesus' promise in John, where He sends the Holy Spirit to empower His followers. Corinthians ties this together by highlighting that the Holy Spirit is the source of unity and diverse gifts within the Church. Together, they illustrate the Holy Spirit's role in empowering, unifying, and sending the Church into the world.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to embrace the Holy Spirit's presence within us. Just as the apostles were empowered to transcend language barriers, we too can overcome our own limitations through the Spirit. We are reminded to appreciate the diverse gifts within our communities, recognizing that each contributes to the Body of Christ. Finally, we are commissioned to continue Jesus' mission, bringing forgiveness and reconciliation to a world in need. May we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to transform and send us forth in love and service.