18/05/2013
Pentecost, English Readings
19 May 2013
FIRST READING: Acts 2,1-11
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
When the day of Pentecost came it found the brethren gathered in one place. Suddenly from up in the sky there came a noise like a strong, driving wind which was heard all through the house where they were seated. Tongues as of fire appeared which parted and came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to express themselves in foreign tongues and make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them.
Staying in Jerusalem at the time were devout Jews of every nation under heaven. These heard the sound, and assembled in a large crowd. They were much confused because each one heard these men speaking his own language. The whole occurrence astonished them. They asked in utter amazement, “Are not all of these men who are speaking Galileans? How is it that each of us hears them in his native tongue? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites. We live in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the regions of Libya around Cyrene. There are even visitors from Rome—all Jews, or those who have come over to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs too. Yet each of us hears them speaking in his own tongue about the marvels God has accomplished.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM:
R/. LORD, SEND OUT YOUR SPIRIT, AND RENEW THE FACE OF THE EARTH.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 12,3-7. 12-13
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians
No one can say: “Jesus is Lord,” except in the Holy Spirit.
There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are different ministries but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in every one. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
The body is one and has many members, but all the members, many though they are, are one body; and so it is with Christ. It was in one Spirit that all of us, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free, were baptized into one body. All of us have been given to drink of the one Spirit.
The word of the Lord.
Alleluia
Alleluia! Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia!
GOSPEL: Jn 20,19-23
A reading from the holy gospel according to John
On the evening of the first day of the week, even though the disciples had locked the doors of the place where they were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood before them. “Peace be with you,” he said. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. At the sight of the Lord the disciples rejoiced. “Peace be with you,” he said again. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Then he breathed on them and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive men’s sins, they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound, they are held bound.”
The Gospel of the Lord.