Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 2, 2025
First Reading: Acts 19.1-8
1And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.2And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."3And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism."4And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus."5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.6And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.7There were about twelve men in all.8And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
Psalm 68
1God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him!2As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!3But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!4Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him!5Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.6God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.7O God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, Selah8the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.9Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished;10your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.11The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host:12"The kings of the armies--they flee, they flee!" The women at home divide the spoil--13though you men lie among the sheepfolds--the wings of a dove covered with silver, its pinions with shimmering gold.14When the Almighty scatters kings there, let snow fall on Zalmon.15O mountain of God, mountain of Bashan; O many-peaked mountain, mountain of Bashan!16Why do you look with hatred, O many-peaked mountain, at the mount that God desired for his abode, yes, where the LORD will dwell forever?17The chariots of God are twice ten thousand, thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them; Sinai is now in the sanctuary.18You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men, even among the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.19Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah20Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.21But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways.22The Lord said, "I will bring them back from Bashan, I will bring them back from the depths of the sea,23that you may strike your feet in their blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from the foe."24Your procession is seen, O God, the procession of my God, my King, into the sanctuary--25the singers in front, the musicians last, between them virgins playing tambourines:26"Bless God in the great congregation, the LORD, O you who are of Israel's fountain!"27There is Benjamin, the least of them, in the lead, the princes of Judah in their throng, the princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali.28Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us.29Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you.30Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war.31Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.32O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah33to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice.34Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies.35Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel--he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God!
Gospel: John 16.29-33
29His disciples said, "Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech!30Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God."31Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?32Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound moments in the journey of faith. The first reading from Acts 19:1-8 introduces us to Paul meeting disciples in Ephesus who, though baptized by John, had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Paul baptizes them in the name of Jesus, laying hands on them, and they receive the Spirit, manifesting through tongues and prophecy. This passage highlights the transition from John's baptism of repentance to the fullness of Christian baptism, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's empowering role in the early church.
The Gospel, John 16:29-33, shifts our focus to Jesus' farewell discourse. He assures His disciples that despite the impending challenges and scattering, He is never alone, for the Father is with Him. Jesus offers them peace, reassuring them that He has overcome the world. This passage invites us to trust in God's presence and find peace amidst life's trials.
Both readings converge on the theme of the Holy Spirit. In Acts, the Spirit empowers believers, while in John, the Spirit, though not explicitly mentioned, is implied as the source of peace and strength. This duality reminds us that the Holy Spirit is both our empowerer and our comforter. In our daily lives, we face challenges, but we can trust in the Spirit's presence. Just as the Ephesian disciples needed the Spirit, we too may feel incomplete without fully embracing the Spirit's power. Let us seek to live in the Spirit, trusting in God's plan and finding peace in His overcoming power. The moral lesson here is clear: rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and peace, knowing that even in turmoil, we are never alone.