Readings for June 4, 2017 Year A Day of Pentecost

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

First Reading and Psalm

  • Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30
  • Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

Second Reading

  • 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 21:1-21

Gospel

  • John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

On the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus was crucified, his followers are filled with the Holy Spirit as promised. The place they are gathered is overwhelmed by the sound of a powerful wind while tongues of fire rest on each person and they begin to speak in other languages. Foreign Jews, in Jerusalem on pilgrimage, hear them and are astonished to learn of God’s power in their own language. Peter assures them that they are witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy about the expected age to come. The Psalm celebrates the wisdom of Yahweh in the creation and sustaining of all things, both animate and inanimate. He accomplishes this by means of his Spirit and the Psalmist responds with heartfelt praise. St. Paul emphasizes that, while there is a wide variety of spiritual gifts, services, and activities, they all come from the one Lord and are for the common good. Just as our bodies are made up of very different parts, so the Spirit orders such variety into a unified whole. St. John tells of the initial post-resurrection appearance of Jesus on Easter evening in which he first bestows peace upon his disciples and then shows them his hands and his side. Finally, he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them and sends them into the world to continue his work of the forgiveness of sins.

As Introductions and/or Bulletin Use

First Reading

On the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus was crucified, his followers are filled with the Holy Spirit as promised. The place they are gathered is overwhelmed by the sound of a powerful wind while tongues of fire rest on each person and they begin to speak in other languages. Foreign Jews, in Jerusalem on pilgrimage, hear them and are astonished to learn of God’s power in their own language. Peter assures them that they are witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy about the expected age to come.

Psalm

The Psalm celebrates the wisdom of Yahweh in the creation and sustaining of all things, both animate and inanimate. He accomplishes this by means of his Spirit and the Psalmist responds with heartfelt praise.

Second Reading

St. Paul emphasizes that, while there is a wide variety of spiritual gifts, services, and activities, they all come from the one Lord and are for the common good. Just as our bodies are made up of very different parts, so the Spirit orders such variety into a unified whole.

Gospel

St. John tells of the initial post-resurrection appearance of Jesus on Easter evening in which he first bestows peace upon his disciples and then shows them his hands and his side. Finally, he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them and sends them into the world to continue his work of the forgiveness of sins.

Based on the Alternative Readings (Using the second choice in each case)

In order to share the burden of leadership for the people of Israel in the wilderness, Yahweh bestows some of the Spirit Moses had been given on seventy elders gathered separately from the main camp. They begin to prophesy and when two who had remained in the camp do the same Moses comes under criticism. He responds by saying he wishes all of God’s people were given the Spirit. The Psalm celebrates the wisdom of Yahweh in the creation and sustaining of all things, both animate and inanimate. He accomplishes this by means of his Spirit and the Psalmist responds with heartfelt praise. On the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus was crucified, his followers are filled with the Holy Spirit as promised. The place they are gathered is overwhelmed by the sound of a powerful wind while tongues of fire rest on each person and they begin to speak in other languages. Foreign Jews, in Jerusalem on pilgrimage, hear them and are astonished to learn of God’s power in their own language. Peter assures them that they are witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy about the expected age to come. Part of the celebration of the Feast of the Tabernacles Jesus attended involved the joyful pouring of pure water on the Temple altar. He uses this opportunity to invite anyone who thirsts to come to him and have rivers of water flow out of them. He is describing the work of the Holy Spirit in each believer.

As Introductions and/or Bulletin Use

First Reading

In order to share the burden of leadership for the people of Israel in the wilderness, Yahweh bestows some of the Spirit Moses had been given on seventy elders gathered separately from the main camp. They begin to prophesy and when two who had remained in the camp do the same Moses comes under criticism. He responds by saying he wishes all of God’s people were given the Spirit.

Psalm

The Psalm celebrates the wisdom of Yahweh in the creation and sustaining of all things, both animate and inanimate. He accomplishes this by means of his Spirit and the Psalmist responds with heartfelt praise.

Second Reading

On the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus was crucified, his followers are filled with the Holy Spirit as promised. The place they are gathered is overwhelmed by the sound of a powerful wind while tongues of fire rest on each person and they begin to speak in other languages. Foreign Jews, in Jerusalem on pilgrimage, hear them and are astonished to learn of God’s power in their own language. Peter assures them that they are witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy about the expected age to come.

Gospel

Part of the celebration of the Feast of the Tabernacles Jesus attended involved the joyful pouring of pure water on the Temple altar. He uses this opportunity to invite anyone who thirsts to come to him and have rivers of water flow out of them. He is describing the work of the Holy Spirit in each believer.