Daily Readings - Sun May 20 2018
Acts
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
First Reading - 1 Corinthians 12.3b-7, 12-13 or Galatians 5.16-25
1 Corinthians
3Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.5And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.6And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Galatians
16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gospel - John 20.19-23 or John 15.26-27; 16.12-15
John
19Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.20And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.21Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:23Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
John
12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and our role as members of the body of Christ. In the first reading from Acts, we witness the dramatic event of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, enabling them to speak in various languages. This miracle not only unites people from diverse backgrounds but also signifies the beginning of the Church's mission to spread the Gospel universally. The Holy Spirit breaks down barriers, reminding us that our diversity is a strength, not a division.
In the second reading from Corinthians, we are reminded that while we each have different gifts, they all originate from the same Spirit. Just as a body functions through its many parts, we as the body of Christ rely on each member's unique contributions. This unity in diversity calls us to appreciate our individual talents and to work together harmoniously for the common good. The Holy Spirit equips us with these gifts to serve others and build up the Church.
The Gospel from John shows Jesus empowering the disciples with the Holy Spirit, giving them the authority to forgive sins. This mission extends to us today, as we are called to be ambassadors of Christ, spreading love and forgiveness. The Holy Spirit is not just a historical event but an active presence in our lives, guiding us to fulfill our mission with courage and compassion. Let us embrace the Holy Spirit's power, allowing it to transform us and enable us to live as one body, united in our diversity and dedicated to serving the world.