Readings: Pentecost Sunday

First Reading Introduction: The Spirit Comes as a Mighty Storm

       Loud noise, a mighty storm, fire, languages - these symbols, used to describe the first Christian Pentecost, tell us forcefully that here something totally new is happening. God's Spirit of power is breaking through to bring divided humanity together in a community where there is room for all.

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, 
          they were all in one place together. 
And suddenly there came from the sky 
          a noise like a strong driving wind, 
          and it filled the entire house in which they were. 
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, 
          which parted and came to rest on each one of them. 
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit 
          and began to speak in different tongues, 
          as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. 
  
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven 
                   staying in Jerusalem. 
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, 
          but they were confused 
          because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, 
          "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? 
Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? 
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, 
          inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, 
          Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, 
          Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, 
          as well as travelers from Rome, 
          both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, 
          yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues 
          of the mighty acts of God."

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. 
      or Alleluia.

Bless the LORD, O my soul! 
          O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! 
How manifold are your works, O Lord! 
          the earth is full of your creatures; 
R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. 
      or Alleluia.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; 
          may the LORD be glad in his works! 
Pleasing to him be my theme; 
          I will be glad in the LORD. 
R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. 
      or Alleluia.

If you take away their breath, they perish 
          and return to their dust. 
When you send forth your spirit, they are created, 
          and you renew the face of the earth. 
R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. 
      or Alleluia.

Second Reading Introduction: Let the Holy Spirit Guide Us

       If we are guided by the Spirit, we die with Jesus to sin, we live for love and joy and all that is good.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 (or Galatians 5:16-25)

Brothers and sisters: 
No one can say, "Jesus is Lord, " except by the Holy Spirit. 
There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;  
          there are different forms of service but the same Lord; 
          there are different workings but the same God 
          who produces all of them in everyone. 
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit 
          is given for some benefit. 
  
As a body is one though it has many parts, 
          and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, 
          so also Christ. 
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, 
          whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, 
          and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

 

or Galatians 5:16-25

Brothers and sisters, live by the Spirit 
          and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. 
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, 
          and the Spirit against the flesh; 
          these are opposed to each other, 
          so that you may not do what you want. 
But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: 
          immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry, 
          sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, 
          outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, 
          dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, 
          drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. 
I warn you, as I warned you before, 
          that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 
          patience, kindness, generosity, 
          faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 
Against such there is no law. 
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh 
          with its passions and desires. 
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Gospel Introduction: The Spirit Leads to the Complete Truth

       The Holy Spirit will make Christians throughout the ages discover the meaning of the words spoken by God's living Word, Jesus.

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-23 (or John 15:26-27; 16:12-15)

Jesus said, "Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; the one who refuses to believe will be condemned. Signs like these will accompany those who have believed: in my Name they will cast out demons and speak new languages; they will pick up snakes and, if they drink anything poisonous, they will be unharmed. They will lay their hands on the sick and they will be healed."

So then, after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and took his place at the right hand of God. The Eleven went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied them.