Seeing the Voice of God

FIRST READINGActs 2:1–11When the feast of Pentecost had arrived, they were gathered together in one place. Suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared among them what seemed like tongues of fire, separating and resting upon each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in various languages as the Spirit gave them utterance.Now there were devout Jews staying in Jerusalem from every nation beneath heaven. When this sound was heard, a large crowd assembled, bewildered because each person heard them speaking in his own native tongue. Amazed and astonished, they said, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? How then do we each hear our own language being spoken? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya around Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts, Cretans and Arabs — yet we hear them declaring in our own languages the mighty works of God.”RESPONSORIAL PSALMPsalm 104Lord, send forth your Spirit,and renew the face of the earth.—or—Alleluia.Bless the Lord, O my soul!O Lord my God, how great you are!How countless are your works, O Lord;the earth is filled with your creatures.Lord, send forth your Spirit,and renew the face of the earth.—or—Alleluia.If you take away their breath, they dieand return again to dust.When you send out your Spirit, they are created,and you make the earth new once more.Lord, send forth your Spirit,and renew the face of the earth.—or—Alleluia.May the glory of the Lord endure forever;may the Lord rejoice in all he has made.May my meditation be pleasing to him;as for me, I will rejoice in the Lord.Lord, send forth your Spirit,and renew the face of the earth.—or—Alleluia.SECOND READING1 Corinthians 12:3b–7, 12–13Brothers and sisters: no one can truly say, “Jesus is Lord,” except through the Holy Spirit. There are many kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit; many forms of ministry, but the same Lord; many kinds of workings, but the same God who accomplishes everything in everyone. To each person the Spirit is revealed for the good of all.Just as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members, though many, form one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and all were given the same Spirit to drink.GOSPELJohn 20:19–23On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered behind locked doors because they feared the authorities. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they recognized the Lord.Jesus said again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so now I send you.” Then he breathed upon them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and those whose sins you retain are retained.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aarona851065.substack.com