Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 19, 2024
First Reading: Acts 2.1-11
1When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.6And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.7And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?8And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?9Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,11both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians--we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God."
Psalm 104
1Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty,2covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.3He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind;4he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.5He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.6You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.7At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.8The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them.9You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.10You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills;11they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.12Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.13From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.14You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth15and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart.16The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.17In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees.18The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.19He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.20You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about.21The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.22When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens.23Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.24O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.25Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.26There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.27These all look to you, to give them their food in due season.28When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.29When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.30When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.31May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works,32who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke!33I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.34May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.35Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.3b-7, 12-13 or Galatians 5.16-25
3Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;5and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,20idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,21envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Gospel: John 20.19-23 or John 15.26-27; 16.12-15
19On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."20When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."22And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.23If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld."
12"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.14He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.15All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare 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.