Daily Readings - Sun Jun 04 2017

Second Reading - 1 Corinthians 12.3b-7, 12-13

³Because of this, I would have you know that no one speaking in the Spirit of God utters a curse against Jesus. And no one is able to say that Jesus is Lord, except in the Holy Spirit⁴Truly, there are diverse graces, but the same Spirit⁵And there are diverse ministries, but the same Lord⁶And there are diverse works, but the same God, who works everything in everyone⁷However, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one toward what is beneficial¹²For just as the body is one, and yet has many parts, so all the parts of the body, though they are many, are only one body. So also is Christ¹³And indeed, in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether servant or free. And we all drank in the one Spirit

Gospel - John 20.19-23

John

Chapter 20

¹⁹Then, when it was late on the same day, on the first of the Sabbaths, and the doors were closed where the disciples were gathered, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and he said to them: "Peace to you.²⁰And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and side. And the disciples were gladdened when they saw the Lord²¹Therefore, he said to them again: "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.²²When he had said this, he breathed on them. And he said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit²³Those whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them, and those whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the Holy Spirit’s role in uniting and empowering the Church. In the second reading from 1 Corinthians, St. Paul reminds us that while there are diverse gifts and ministries, they all come from the same Spirit. He uses the analogy of the body to emphasize that just as each part of the body has a unique function, so too does each member of the Church have a unique role to play in building up the Body of Christ. This passage encourages us to recognize and value the diversity of spiritual gifts among us, while remaining united in our shared mission. In the Gospel, we see Jesus appearing to his disciples after the resurrection. Despite their fear and the locked doors, Jesus brings them peace and sends them out on a mission. By breathing on them and giving them the Holy Spirit, he empowers them to forgive sins and to continue his work in the world. This moment is foundational for the Church’s understanding of its mission and identity. Just as the disciples were sent out in the power of the Spirit, so too are we called to live as missionary disciples, sharing the peace and reconciliation of Christ with others. These readings remind us that the Holy Spirit is the source of unity and diversity in the Church. The Spirit binds us together as one Body, even as it equips each of us with unique gifts and callings. In our daily lives, we are called to recognize the Spirit’s presence within us and among us. Let us ask for the grace to embrace our diverse roles, to work together in harmony, and to be open to the Spirit’s guidance. May we, like the disciples, be instruments of God’s peace and reconciliation in a world that so desperately needs it.