One thing I love about the Catholic church is that for every mass, there is a reading each from the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Gospel. So no matter where you are, you can read ahead, catch a mass and you know that the priest will be talking about one or all of those readings. I like to read ahead and it’s always interesting to see what the priest has to say about the historical stories. It’s like college but even better! And another great thing is that the readings are the same for everyone in the whole world, so I can discuss the readings with all of my friends and family who went to mass that day (or when we don’t go!) and see what the different priests say about each reading. Or sometimes it’s nice because I’m especially intrigued about a particular reading, say, the second reading, and then he talks about the Gospel, then it’s nice to call someone thousands of miles away and they were at the same mass and can give me some more insight. It’s all about spreading the Word, right? 🙂 Well, anyway, all that brings me to the 3 readings today. They were so awesome!!!

Acts 2:1-11. 1 Corinthians 12:3-13. John 20:19-23. 

1 Corinthians 12:3-13: “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….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.” Wow, a good reminder that we are all special and unique and though we are different, we are ONE BODY with MANY PARTS. We need each other. How boring would this world be if we were all the same? And the first reading, Acts 2:1-11, reminds us to master the art of communication; speaking AND listening. And when you get the opportunity to meet someone different than you, consider it a blessing. No matter where they’re from, we can all speak one, universal language, LOVE. We can CHOOSE to be an instrument of peace. It reminds me of the wise advice from St. Francis of Assisi: that we may not so much seek to be understood, as to understand. What gifts do you bring to the round table? How many languages of LOVE do you speak? Go out. Meet new people. Share the love. Happy Pentecost. Hag Sameach! ❤

Please share your insights on the readings from today! By the way, which came first, the Bible or the Church? The Church of course. Why do I ask? I want to inspire you to learn your history. What is Pentecost anyway? It’s a feast of weeks called Shavuot–that’s why in Acts 2 the Jews were gathered in Jerusalem from all parts of the world. It was commanded by God in Leviticus 23.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

-St. Francis of Assisi