Daily Readings - Sun May 23 2021
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 take us on a journey through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the unity of the Body of Christ, and the mission entrusted to the disciples. In the first reading from Acts, we witness the dramatic event of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, enabling them to speak in various languages. This moment marks the Church's birth and the beginning of its universal mission. The second reading from Corinthians reminds us that while spiritual gifts are diverse, they all originate from the same Spirit, emphasizing unity amidst diversity. The Gospel from John shows Jesus commissioning His disciples, breathing the Holy Spirit upon them, and granting them the authority to forgive sins, underscoring the continuation of His mission through them.
These readings are deeply interconnected. Pentecost in Acts is the fulfillment of Jesus' promise in John, where He sends the Holy Spirit to empower His followers. Corinthians ties this together by highlighting that the Holy Spirit is the source of unity and diverse gifts within the Church. Together, they illustrate the Holy Spirit's role in empowering, unifying, and sending the Church into the world.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to embrace the Holy Spirit's presence within us. Just as the apostles were empowered to transcend language barriers, we too can overcome our own limitations through the Spirit. We are reminded to appreciate the diverse gifts within our communities, recognizing that each contributes to the Body of Christ. Finally, we are commissioned to continue Jesus' mission, bringing forgiveness and reconciliation to a world in need. May we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to transform and send us forth in love and service.