Daily Readings - Sun May 23 2021
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!"
First Reading - 1 Corinthians 12.3b-7, 12-13 or Galatians 5.16-25
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.
Galatians
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Gospel - John 20.19-23 or John 15.26-27; 16.12-15
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."
John
12"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to 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.