13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Date: June 26, 2022

New American Bible readings
First reading (1 Kings 19: 16b and 19–21)
A reading from the first book of Kings.
The LORD said to Elijah: "You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah, as prophet to succeed you." Elijah set out and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yokes of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, "Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you." Elijah answered, "Go back! Have I done anything to you?" Elisha left him, and taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

Second reading (Galatians 5: 1 and 13–18)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians.
Brothers and sisters: For freedom, Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Gospel (Luke 9: 51–62)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
When the days for Jesus' being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way, they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village. As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." And to another, he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." To him, Jesus said, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God."

Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings
First reading (1 Kings 19: 16b and 19–21)
A reading from the first book of Kings.
The Lord stated to Elijah: "You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat, from Abel Meholah, you shall anoint as prophet in your place." So Elijah left. He located Elisha, son of Shaphat, who was plowing a field of twelve acres and was at the end of the twelfth acre. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and stated, "Let me say goodbye to my father and mother; then I will follow you." Elijah stated to him, "Return if you want, do not worry about what I did." However, Elisha turned back, took the yoke of oxen and slew them. He roasted their meat on the pieces of the yoke and gave it to his people who ate of it. After this, Elisha followed Elijah and began ministering to him.

Second reading (Galatians 5: 1 and 13–18)
A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians.
Brothers and sisters: Christ freed us to make us really free. So remain firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. You, brothers and sisters, were called to enjoy freedom; I am not speaking of that freedom which gives free rein to the desires of the flesh, but of that which makes you slaves of one another through love. For the whole Law is summed up in this sentence: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and tear each other to pieces, be careful lest you all perish. Therefore I say to you: walk according to the Spirit and do not give way to the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh war against the spirit, and the desires of the spirit are opposed to the flesh. Both are in conflict with each other, so that you cannot do everything you would like. But let the Spirit lead you: this is nothing to do with submitting to the Law.

Gospel (Luke 9: 51–62)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. He had sent ahead of him some messengers who entered a Samaritan village to prepare a lodging for him. However, the people would not receive Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. Observing this, James and John, Jesus' disciples asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to reduce them to ashes?" Nevertheless, Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went on to another village. As they went on their way, a man stated to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." Jesus requested another person, "Follow me." Nevertheless, the man answered, "Let me return now, for first I want to bury my father." And Jesus replied to him, "Let the dead bury their dead; as for you, leave them and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another person answered Jesus, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to my family." And Jesus replied to him, "Whoever has put his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God."

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Date: June 19, 2022

New American Bible readings
First reading (Genesis 14: 18–20)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
In those days, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine, and being a priest of God Most High, he blessed Abram with these words: "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who delivered your foes into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Second reading (1 Corinthians 11: 23–26)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, also the cup, after supper, saying,  "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

Gospel (Luke 9: 11b–17)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here." He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves." They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty." They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings
First reading (Genesis 14: 18–20)
A reading from the book of Genesis.
Then Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram stating, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth! And blessed be God Most High who has delivered your enemies into your hands!" And Abram gave him a tenth part of everything.

Second reading (1 Corinthians 11: 23–26)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
Brothers and sisters: This is the tradition of the Lord that I received and that in my turn I have handed on to you; the Lord Jesus, on the night that he was delivered up, took bread and, after giving thanks, broke it, saying, "This is my body which is broken for you; do this in memory of me." In the same manner, taking the cup after the supper, he stated, "This cup is the new Covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do it in memory of me." So then, whenever you eat of this bread and drink from this cup, you are proclaiming the death of the Lord until he comes.

Gospel (Luke 9: 11b–17)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Jesus welcomed the crowd who followed him in Bethsaida and commenced speaking about the kingdom of God, curing those who are in need of healing. The day was drawing to a close and the Twelve drew near to tell him, "Send the crowd away and let them go into the villages and farms around, to find lodging and food, for we are here in a lonely place." However, Jesus replied, "You yourselves give them something to eat." They answered, "We have only five loaves and two fish; do you want us to go and buy food enough for all this crowd?" For there were about five thousand men. Then Jesus told his disciples, "Make these people sit down in groups of fifties." So they made all of them settle down. Jesus then took the five loaves and two fish, and raising his eyes to heaven, pronounced a blessing over them; he broke them and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the crowd. They ate and everyone had enough; and when they gathered up what was left, twelve baskets were filled with broken pieces.

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity (Holy Trinity Sunday)

Date: June 12, 2022

New American Bible readings

First reading (Proverbs 8: 22–31)

A reading from the book of Proverbs.

Thus says the wisdom of God, “The LORD begot me, the beginning of his works, the forerunner of his deeds of long ago. From of old I was formed, at the first, before the earth. When there were no deeps I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water. Before the mountains were settled into place, before the hills, I was brought forth; when the earth and the fields were not yet made, nor the first clods of the world. When he established the heavens, there was I, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep; when he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the springs of the deep. When he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command. When he fixed the foundations of earth, then was I beside him as artisan; I was his delight day by day, playing before him all the while. Playing over the whole of his earth, having my delight with human beings.”

Second reading (Romans 5: 1–5)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Gospel (John 16: 12–15)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jesus says to his disciples, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings

First reading (Proverbs 8: 22–31)

A reading from the book of Proverbs.

Thus states the wisdom of God: "The Lord created me first, at the beginning of his works. He formed me from of old, from eternity, even before the earth. The abyss did not exist when I was born, the springs of the sea had not gushed forth, the mountains were still not set in their place nor the hills, when I was born before he made the earth or countryside, or the first grains of the world's dust. I was there when he made the skies and drew the earth's compass on the abyss, when he formed the clouds above and when the springs of the ocean emerged; when he made the sea with its limits, that it might not overflow. When he laid the foundations of the earth, I was close beside him, the designer of his works, and I was his daily delight, forever playing in his presence, playing throughout the world and delighting to be with humans."

Second reading (Romans 5: 1–5)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters: By faith we have received true righteousness, and we are at peace with God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Through him we obtain this favor in which we remain and we even boast to expect the Glory of God. Not only that, we feel secure even in trials, knowing that trials produce patience, from patience comes merit, merit is the source of hope, and hope does not disappoint us because the Holy Spirit has been given to us, pouring into our hearts; the love of God.

Gospel (John 16: 12–15)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jesus states this to his disciples: "I still have many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now. When he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into the whole truth. He has nothing to say of himself but he will speak of what he hears, and he will tell you of the things to come. He will take what is mine and make it known to you; in doing this, he will glorify me. All that the Father has is mine; because of this I have just told you, that the Spirit will take what is mine and make it known to you."

Solemnity of the Pentecost

Date: June 5, 2022

New American Bible readings

Vigil readings

First reading (Genesis 11: 1–9)

A reading from the book of Genesis.

The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words. While the people were migrating in the east, they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to one another, "Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire." They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky, and so make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth." The LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the people had built. Then the LORD said: "If now, while they are one people, all speaking the same language, they have started to do this, nothing will later stop them from doing whatever they presume to do. Let us then go down there and confuse their language, so that one will not understand what another says." Thus the LORD scattered them from there all over the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the speech of all the world. It was from that place that he scattered them all over the earth.

Second reading (Exodus 19: 3–8 and 16–20)

A reading from the book of Exodus.

Moses went up the mountain to God. Then the LORD called to him and said, "Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob; tell the Israelites: You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle wings and brought you here to myself. Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. That is what you must tell the Israelites." So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people. When he set before them all that the LORD had ordered him to tell them, the people all answered together, "Everything the LORD has said, we will do." On the morning of the third day there were peals of thunder and lightning, and a heavy cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. But Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stationed themselves at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was all wrapped in smoke, for the LORD came down upon it in fire. The smoke rose from it as though from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. The trumpet blast grew louder and louder, while Moses was speaking, and God answering him with thunder. When the LORD came down to the top of Mount Sinai, he summoned Moses to the top of the mountain.

Third reading (Ezekiel 37: 1–14)

A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.

The hand of the LORD came upon me, and he led me out in the spirit of the LORD and set me in the center of the plain, which was now filled with bones. He made me walk among the bones in every direction so that I saw how many they were on the surface of the plain. How dry they were! He asked me: Son of man, can these bones come to life? I answered, "Lord GOD, you alone know that." Then he said to me: Prophesy over these bones, and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: See! I will bring spirit into you, that you may come to life. I will put sinews upon you, make flesh grow over you, cover you with skin, and put spirit in you so that you may come to life and know that I am the LORD. I, Ezekiel, prophesied as I had been told, and even as I was prophesying I heard a noise; it was a rattling as the bones came together, bone joining bone. I saw the sinews and the flesh come upon them, and the skin cover them, but there was no spirit in them. Then the LORD said to me: Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man, and say to the spirit: Thus says the Lord GOD: From the four winds come, O spirit, and breathe into these slain that they may come to life. I prophesied as he told me, and the spirit came into them; they came alive and stood upright, a vast army. Then he said to me: Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They have been saying, "Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost, and we are cut off." Therefore, prophesy and say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD: O my people, I will open your graves and have you rise from them, and bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will settle you upon your land; thus you shall know that I am the LORD. I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.

Fourth reading (Joel 3: 1–5)

A reading from the book of Joel.

Thus says the LORD: I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; even upon the servants and the handmaids, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. And I will work wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood, fire, and columns of smoke; the sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, at the coming of the day of the LORD, the great and terrible day. Then everyone shall be rescued who calls on the name of the LORD; for on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant, as the LORD has said, and in Jerusalem survivors whom the LORD shall call.

Epistle (Romans 8: 22–27)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters: We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance. In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God's will.

Gospel (John 7: 37–39)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

On the last and greatest day of the feast,

Jesus stood up and exclaimed, "Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. As Scripture says: Rivers of living water will flow from within him who believes in me." He said this in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive. There was, of course, no Spirit yet, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Readings for the mass during the day

First reading (Acts 2: 1–11)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."

Second reading (1 Corinthians 12: 3b–7 and 12–13) (Option 1)

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters: No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 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. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. 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.

Second reading (Romans 8: 8–17) (Option 2)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is alive because of righteousness. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit that dwells in you. Consequently, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Gospel (John 20: 19–23) (Option 1)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Gospel (John 14: 15–16 and 23b–26) (Option 2)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always, Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you."

Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible readings

Vigil readings

First reading (Genesis 11: 1–9)

A reading from the book of Genesis.

The whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved from east, they found a plain in the country of Shinar where they settled. They stated to one another, "Come, let us make bricks and bake them in fire." They used brick for stone and bitumen for mortar. They stated also, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top reaching heaven; so that we may become a great people and not be scattered over the face of the earth!" The Lord came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of man were building, and the Lord stated, "They are one people and they have one language. If they carry this through, nothing they decide to do from now on will be impossible. Come! Let us go down and confuse their language so that they will no longer understand each other." So the Lord scattered them over all the earth and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth and from there the Lord scattered them over the whole face of the earth.

Second reading (Exodus 19: 3–8 and 16–20)

A reading from the book of Exodus.

The Israelites camped there in front of the mountain, but Moses went up to God and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "This is what you are to say and to explain to the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself. Now if you listen to me and keep my covenant, you shall be my very own possession among all the nations. For all the earth is mine, but you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." And he added, "This is what you are to say to the people of Israel." So Moses went and summoned all the elders of the people and related to them all that the Lord had commanded him to say. All the people responded with one voice, "All that the Lord has said, we will do." Moses then brought back to the Lord the people's response. On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning and a dense cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast was heard. All the people in the camp trembled. Moses then made the people leave the camp to meet God and stand at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was completely covered in smoke because the Lord had come down in fire, and the smoke rose as from a furnace. The whole mountain shook violently, while the blast of the of the trumpet became louder and louder. Moses spoke and God replied in thunder. When the Lord had come down to the summit of Mount Sinai, God called Moses, who went to the summit.

Third reading (Ezekiel 37: 1–14)

A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel.

The hand of the Lord was upon me. He brought me out and led me in spirit to the middle of the valley which was full of bones. He made me walk to and fro among them and I could see there was a great number of them on the ground all along the valley and that they were very dry. The Lord stated to me, "Son of man, can these bones live again?" I stated, "Lord God, only you know that." He then stated, "Speak on my behalf concerning these bones; say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! The Lord says: I am going to put spirit in you and make you live. I shall put sinews on you and make flesh grow on you; I shall cover you with skin and give you my spirit, that you may live. And you will know that I am the Lord." I prophesied as I had been commanded and then there was a noise and commotion; the bones joined together. I looked and saw that they had sinews, that flesh was growing on them and that he was covering them with skin. But there was no spirit in them. So the Lord stated to me, "Speak on my behalf and call on the Spirit, son of man! Say to the Spirit: This is the word of the Lord: Spirit, come from the four winds. Breathe into these dead bones and let them live!" I prophesied as he had commanded me and breath entered them; they came alive, standing on their feet — a great, immense army! He then stated to me, "Son of man, these bones are all Israel. They keep saying: 'Our bones are dry, hope has gone, it is the end of us.' So prophesy! Say to them: This is what the Lord says: I am going to open your tombs, I shall bring you out of your tombs, my people, and lead you back to the land of Israel. You will know that I am the Lord, O my people! When I open your graves and bring you out of your graves, when I put my spirit in you and you live. I shall settle you in your land and you will know that I, the Lord, have done what I said I would do."

Fourth reading (Joel 3: 1–5)

A reading from the book of Joel.

In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on every mortal. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even upon my servants and maidens, I will pour out my Spirit on that day. I will show wonders in the heavens, and on earth blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will darken and the moon turn to blood at the approach of the great and dreadful day of God. Then all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. For on Mount Zion there will be a remnant, as the Lord has stated; in Jerusalem some will be saved — those whom the Lord will call.

Epistle (Romans 8: 22–27)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

Brothers and sisters: We know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pangs of birth. Not creation alone, but even ourselves, although the Spirit was given to us as a foretaste of what we are to receive, we groan in our innermost being, eagerly awaiting the day when God will give us full rights and rescue our bodies as well. To hope is the way we are saved. But if we saw what we hoped for, there would be no longer be hope: how can you hope for what is already seen? So we hope for what we do not see and we will receive it through patient hope. We are weak, but the Spirit comes to help us. How to ask? And what shall we ask for? We do not know, but the spirit intercedes for us without words, as if with groans. And he who sees inner secrets knows the desires of the Spirit, for he asks for the holy ones what is pleasing to God.

Gospel (John 7: 37–39)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "Let anyone who is thirsty, come to me; and let the one who believes in me drink, for the Scripture states: Out of him shall flow rivers of living water." Jesus was referring to the Spirit which those who believe in him were to receive; the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet entered into his Glory.

Readings for the mass during the day

First reading (Acts 2: 1–11)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking, Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travellers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God."

Second reading (1 Corinthians 12: 3b–7 and 12–13) (Option 1)

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters: Nobody can say, "Jesus is the Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. There is diversity of gifts, but the Spirit is the same. There is diversity of ministries, but the Lord is the same. There is diversity of works, but the same God works in all. The Spirit reveals his presence in each one with a gift which is also a service. As the body is one, having many members, and all the members, while being many, form one body, so it is with Christ. All of us, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, have been baptized in one Spirit to form one body and all of us have been given to drink from the one Spirit.

Second reading (Romans 8: 8–17) (Option 2)

A reading from the letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.

So, those walking according to the flesh cannot please God. Yet your existence is not in the flesh, but in the spirit, because the Spirit of God is within you. If you did not have the Spirit of Christ, you would not belong to him. But Christ is within you; though the body is branded by death as a consequence of sin, the spirit is life and holiness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies. Yes, he will do it through his Spirit who dwells within you. Then, brothers, let us leave the flesh and no longer live according to it. If not, we will die. Rather, walking in the Spirit, let us put to death the body's deeds so that we may live. All those who walk in the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God. Then, no more fear: you did not receive a spirit of slavery, but the Spirit that makes you sons and daughters and every time we cry, "Abba! (this is Dad!) Father!" the Spirit assures our spirit that we are sons and daughters of God. If we are children, we are heirs, too. Ours will be the inheritance of God and we will share it with Christ; for if we now suffer with him, we will also share Glory with him.

Gospel (John 20: 19–23) (Option 1)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

On the evening of that day, the first day after the Sabbath, the doors were locked where the disciples were, because of their fear of the Jews, but Jesus came and stood in their midst. He stated to them, "Peace be with you"; then he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples kept looking at the Lord and were full of joy. Again Jesus stated to them, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." After stating this he breathed on them and stated to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit; for those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained."

Gospel (John 14: 15–16 and 23b–26) (Option 2)
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
Jesus stated to his disciples: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, and we will come to him and make a room in his home. But if anyone does not love me, he will not keep my words, and these words that you hear are not mine but the Father's who sent me. I told you all this while I was still with you. From now on the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of all that I have told you."