Daily Readings - Sun Jun 09 2019
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 Romans 8.8-17
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.
Romans
8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Gospel - John 20.19-23 or John 14.15-16, 23b-26
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
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The first reading from Acts 2.1-11 describes the Pentecost event, where the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in various languages. This moment signifies the church's universal mission, breaking down barriers and uniting people across nations. The second reading from 1 Corinthians 12.3b-7, 12-13 emphasizes the unity in diversity through the Holy Spirit, likening the church to a body with many parts working together in harmony. The Gospel, John 20.19-23, shows Jesus sending the disciples out, breathing the Holy Spirit upon them to forgive sins, underscoring the Spirit's role in mission and reconciliation.
These readings are set in pivotal moments: Pentecost, the early church's diversity, and the post-resurrection mission. They highlight the Holy Spirit's role in empowerment, unity, and mission. The Spirit's outpouring at Pentecost launched the church's evangelistic mission, while in Corinth, it wove together diverse gifts into one body. In John, the Spirit equips the disciples for their mission, reflecting Jesus' own mission from the Father.
In our daily lives, the Holy Spirit calls us to embrace our unique roles within the body of Christ, using our diverse gifts to serve and unite others. Just as the apostles were empowered to transcend language barriers, we too can overcome divisions through the Spirit. Let us seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to live as one body, fostering unity and reconciliation in our communities. The moral lesson is clear: the Holy Spirit equips us to fulfill our mission, bringing peace and forgiveness to a world in need.