Pentecost (Year B)

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 8.22-26

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans. The whole creation is groaning, as if in labour pains. And even we, with the spirit of life within us, groan inwardly, as we await the completion of our adoption into the full freedom of the children of God. We do not yet see it completed, but we wait for it with patience, confidence, and trust. And the spirit helps us in our present weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the spirit prays within us, in sighs too deep for words. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - John 15.26, 16.12-15

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Jesus said to his disciples: ‘From the Father, I will send to you the Spirit of truth, to be with you, and to speak for me. I have many things still to say to you - more than you can know. But the Spirit of Truth will come to you, and guide you into all truth; honouring me, by taking what is mine, and making it known to you; disclosing to you the things that are to come. All that the Father has is mine; and the Spirit of Truth will take what is mine, and make it known to you.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.