Daily Readings - Sun Jun 08 2025
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
The readings today guide us through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing unity amidst diversity and our shared mission as followers of Christ. The first reading from Acts recounts the Day of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, enabling them to speak in various languages. This miraculous event symbolizes the Spirit's power to transcend barriers and unite people from all nations, marking the Church's universal mission. The second reading from Corinthians highlights the diversity of spiritual gifts, yet underscores their common source in the Holy Spirit, using the body analogy to illustrate how each part, though different, contributes to the whole. The Gospel from John shows Jesus sending the disciples with the Holy Spirit, empowering them to forgive sins and continue His work, thus linking the Spirit to the Church's mission.
These readings interconnect by illustrating the Holy Spirit's role in fostering unity through diversity. In Acts, the Spirit unites people across languages; in Corinthians, it unites through diverse gifts; and in John, it empowers the disciples for their mission. This unity is vital in our daily lives, where we often face divisions. The readings remind us to embrace our unique gifts and work together for the common good, recognizing that our diversity is a strength when united in the Spirit.
The moral lesson here is the call to live out our faith actively, embracing the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives. Just as the disciples were empowered, we too are called to be instruments of unity and reconciliation. Let us strive to foster harmony in our communities, valuing each person's contributions, and together fulfill Christ's mission with the Spirit's guidance.