Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 19, 2024
First Reading: Acts 2.1-11
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.
Psalm 104
1To David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are exceedingly great. You have clothed yourself with confession and beauty2you are dressed with light like a garment, while you stretch out heaven like a tent3You cover its heights with water. You set the clouds as your stairs. You walk upon the wings of the winds4You make your Angels a breath of life, and your ministers a burning fire5You founded the earth upon its stable base. It will not be bent from age to age6The abyss, like a garment, is its clothing. The waters will remain standing above the mountains7At your rebuke, they will flee. At the voice of your thunder, they will dread8The mountains ascend, and the plains descend, to the place which you have founded for them9You have set a limit that they will not cross. And they will not return to cover the earth10You spring forth fountains in steep valleys. The waters will cross through the midst of the mountains11All the wild beasts of the field will drink. The wild donkeys will anticipate in their thirst12Above them, the flying things of the air will dwell. From the midst of the rocks, they will utter voices13You irrigate the mountains from your heights. The earth will be satiated from the fruit of your works14producing grass for cattle and herbs for the service of men. So may you draw bread from the earth15and wine, in order to cheer the heart of man. Then he may gladden his face with oil, and bread will confirm the heart of man16The trees of the field will be saturated, along with the cedars of Lebanon, which he planted17There, the sparrows will make their nests. The leader of them is the house of the heron18The heights of the hills are for the deer; the rock is a refuge for the hedgehog19He has made the moon for seasons; the sun knows its setting20You appointed darkness, and it has become night; all the beasts of the forest will cross through it21The young lions will roar, while searching for and seizing their meal from God22The sun arose, and they were gathered together; and in their dens, they will lie down together23Man will go forth to his work and to his activities, until the evening24How great are your works, O Lord! You have made all things in wisdom. The earth has been filled with your possessions25This sea is great and its hands are spacious. There are creeping things without number: the small animals with the great26There, the ships will pass by this sea-serpent that you have formed to mock them27All these expect you to give them food in due time28What you give to them, they will gather. When you open your hand, they will all be filled with goodness29But if you turn your face away, they will be disturbed. You will take away their breath, and they will fail, and they will return to their dust30You will send forth your Spirit, and they will be created. And you will renew the face of the earth31May the glory of the Lord be for all ages. The Lord will rejoice in his works32He considers the earth, and he makes it tremble. He touches the mountains, and they smoke33I will sing to the Lord with my life. I will sing psalms to my God, as long as I am34May my speech be pleasing to him. Truly, I will take delight in the Lord35Let sinners fade away from the earth, along with the unjust, so that they may not be. Bless the Lord, O my soul
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.3b-7, 12-13 or Galatians 5.16-25
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
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
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.
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 invite us to reflect on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In the Acts of the Apostles, we witness the dramatic event of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, empowering them to speak in various languages. This moment marks the birth of the Church, as the Spirit breaks down barriers and unites people from diverse backgrounds. The context of this event is significant, occurring during a Jewish festival, symbolizing the universal mission of the Church. The apostles, once hiding in fear, are now emboldened to proclaim the Gospel, illustrating the Spirit's ability to overcome human limitations.
In the second reading from Corinthians, Paul emphasizes that while spiritual gifts may vary, they all originate from the same Spirit. This unity in diversity is crucial for the functioning of the Church as the body of Christ. Each member has a unique role, yet together they form one body. The context here is Paul addressing a church divided by rivalries, reminding them that their unity is found in the Spirit. This teaches us that our differences are not weaknesses but strengths when recognized through the lens of the Spirit.
The Gospel from John shows Jesus appearing to the disciples after His resurrection. He bestows peace upon them and breathes the Holy Spirit, commissioning them to forgive sins. This act underscores the Spirit's role in continuing Jesus' mission. The context is one of fear and uncertainty among the disciples, but Jesus' presence and the gift of the Spirit transform them into confident witnesses.
These readings interconnect through the theme of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost initiates the Spirit's outpouring, Corinthians explains the Spirit's role in unity, and John depicts the Spirit's commissioning power. Together, they reveal the Spirit's essential role in empowering, unifying, and sending forth the Church.
Applying this to our daily lives, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit is ever-present, helping us overcome fears and limitations. We should embrace our unique gifts and use them for the community's benefit. Being open to the Spirit's guidance allows us to live with purpose and serve others selflessly.
In reflection, the Church is one body with diverse members, each vital to its mission. The Holy Spirit gives us peace and sends us forth to share God's love and forgiveness. Let us trust in the Spirit's power, embracing our mission to be Christ's presence in the world.