Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 3, 2019
First Reading: Acts 19.1-8
1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.7And all the men were about twelve.8And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Psalm 68
1Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.2As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.3But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.5A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.6God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.7O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:8The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.9Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.10Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.11The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.12Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.13Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.14When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.15The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan.16Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever.17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.18Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.19Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.20He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.21But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.22The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:23That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same.24They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.25The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.26Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel.27There is little Benjamin with their ruler, the princes of Judah and their council, the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali.28Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.29Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.30Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.31Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.32Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord; Selah:33To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.34Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.35O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
Gospel: John 16.29-33
29His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.31Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?32Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Sermon
The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of Paul encountering a group of disciples in Ephesus who had been baptized by John the Baptist but had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Paul explains the difference between John's baptism of repentance and the baptism in the name of Jesus, leading them to receive the Holy Spirit. This passage highlights the transition from the preparatory role of John the Baptist to the fullness of life in Christ through the Holy Spirit. It also shows Paul's missionary zeal and the importance of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers for witness and service.
The Gospel from John 16 finds Jesus preparing His disciples for His departure. He assures them that even though they will face scattering and difficulties, they can have peace because He has overcome the world. This passage emphasizes trust in God’s providence and the peace that comes from knowing that Jesus has already triumphed over all challenges. It invites believers to place their confidence in God, even in the midst of trials.
Both readings remind us of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the need to trust in God’s plan. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace the Spirit’s presence, which equips us to face challenges with courage and faith. Just as Paul guided the Ephesian disciples to receive the Spirit, we too can open ourselves to the Spirit’s gifts. And just as Jesus assured His disciples of peace, we can find peace in Him, knowing that He has overcome the world. Let us live with confidence, trusting in God’s love and providence, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us in all we do.