Sunday 4 June 2028

Pentecost (Year C)

First Reading - Acts 2.1-21

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were all together in one place, when suddenly, all around them, there was a sound like the rush of a violent wind, filling the entire house where they were meeting. Flames, or tongues of fire, appeared amongst them, and rested on each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in many languages. At this sound, a crowd began to gather, made up of Jewish believers who were staying in Jerusalem - from Asia and Arabia, Egypt and North Africa, Judea, Turkey, Syria, Greece and the Balkans, Crete, and Rome, both Hebrews and converts. They said, ‘Surely, these who are speaking are all from Galilee. And yet we hear them declaring the greatness of God, each in our own language. What can this mean?’ But others mocked and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’ Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed the crowd, saying: ‘People of Judea, and all who are here in Jerusalem: these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No; this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel, when God declared: “In those days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. The young will see visions, your elders will dream dreams, and your sons and your daughters will receive and proclaim my word. There will be wonders and signs in the heavens, and on the earth: blood, and fire, and clouds of smoke, the sun turned to darkness and the moon blood red, before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”’ This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Romans 8.14-17

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans. Now that you are led by the spirit of God, you are adopted as children of God. God receives you not as slaves, to fall back into fear, but as adopted children, able to address God as ‘Abba’ and ‘Father’. And being adopted as children of God, we inherit all things, alongside Christ Jesus himself, including both his suffering and his glory. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - John 14.8-17

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Philip said to Jesus, ‘Lord, show us the Father.’ Jesus said, ‘Philip, have I been with you, all this time, and still, you do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father, for I am in the Father, and the Father is in me. The words that I speak are the words of the Father within me. And now, those who trust in me will do all that I have done, and more, because I am returning to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name; and in this way also, I will bring glory to the Father. And if you love me, and live by all that I have taught you, I will ask the Father, and he will send you the Holy Spirit, to be with you - the Spirit of truth, unknown to the world, but known to you, to be alongside you, amongst you, and within you.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.