Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 25, 2020
First Reading: Acts 19.1-8
1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples2and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."3So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?John's baptism," they replied.4Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."5On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.7There were about twelve men in all.8Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.
Psalm 68
1May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.2As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.3But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.4Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds - his name is the LORD - and rejoice before him.5A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.6God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.7When you went out before your people, O God, when you marched through the wasteland, Selah8the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.9You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.10Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, O God, you provided for the poor.11The Lord announced the word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it:12"Kings and armies flee in haste; in the camps men divide the plunder.13Even while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold."14When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land, it was like snow fallen on Zalmon.15The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains; rugged are the mountains of Bashan.16Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever?17The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.18When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious- that you, O LORD God, might dwell there.19Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah20Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.21Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.22The Lord says, "I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea,23that you may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share."24Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.25In front are the singers, after them the musicians; with them are the maidens playing tambourines.26Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.27There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them, there the great throng of Judah's princes, and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.28Summon your power, O God; show us your strength, O God, as you have done before.29Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts.30Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may it bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.31Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush will submit herself to God.32Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, Selah33to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice.34Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies.35You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
Gospel: John 16.29-33
29Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech.30Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."31"You believe at last!" Jesus answered.32"But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Sermon
The first reading from Acts and the Gospel of John both invite us to reflect on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Acts, Paul encounters disciples in Ephesus who had been baptized with John’s baptism but had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Paul explains that John’s baptism was a call to repentance, preparing the way for faith in Jesus. After baptizing them in the name of Jesus, Paul lays hands on them, and they receive the Holy Spirit, manifesting His presence through tongues and prophecy. This passage reminds us that the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God’s promise and the source of our spiritual vitality.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the challenges they will face after His departure. He assures them that even though they will be scattered and face difficulties, they should not lose heart because He has overcome the world. Jesus emphasizes that the Father is always with Him, and through faith, His disciples can find peace in the midst of turmoil. This passage invites us to trust in God’s presence and providence, even when the world seems uncertain.
Together, these readings remind us that the Holy Spirit is our strength and our peace. In Acts, the Spirit empowers believers to live boldly as witnesses of Christ. In John’s Gospel, the Spirit is the source of the peace that Jesus leaves with His disciples. In our daily lives, we can apply this by trusting in the Holy Spirit’s guidance and seeking His comfort when we face challenges. Let us ask for the courage to live as Spirit-filled disciples, confident that God is always with us, even in the midst of difficulties.