Daily Readings - Sun May 31 2020
Acts
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
1 Corinthians
3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
John
19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.21Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
Sermon
The readings today guide us through a journey of the Holy Spirit's transformative power and its implications for our lives. In Acts, we witness the Pentecost event, where the Holy Spirit unites people from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to understand one another. This miracle signifies the Church's universal mission, breaking down barriers of language and culture. In Corinthians, we learn that while spiritual gifts may vary, they all originate from the same Spirit, uniting us as one body in Christ. The Gospel shows Jesus empowering His disciples with the Holy Spirit, sending them forth to forgive sins and continue His mission.
These readings intertwine beautifully, highlighting the Holy Spirit's role in fostering unity amidst diversity and empowering believers for service. Pentecost's diversity mirrors the diverse gifts in Corinthians, both pointing to the Spirit's unifying force. Jesus' act of sending His disciples, as seen in the Gospel, underscores the mission that flows from this unity and empowerment.
In our daily lives, this means embracing our unique gifts and backgrounds to serve others. Just as the early Church united diverse people, we too can bridge divides by valuing each person's contribution. The Holy Spirit equips us to go beyond our comfort zones, to forgive, and to serve. Let us seek to embody this unity and mission, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in fostering a community where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.