Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: May 19, 2024

Date:  Pentecost

Scripture Text:  1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13

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.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The 2nd reading for today is drawn from Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians in which he reminds the readers of the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us. The Spirit gifts us differently and yet magnificently not only for our benefit but also for the benefit of others, for the benefit of the whole, for the benefit of the Body of Christ. As we share Christ, so we also share the one Spirit.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Have I sought to discern the gifts the Spirit has given to me so that I might fully use them? Do I seek unity with others recognizing our bond in Christ and the Spirit?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, I come to You full of praise. I pray that my life will bring You glory as my Creator, my Savior, my Sanctifier and Advocate. I give sincere thanks for your gifts to me from my very life to the life I hope to lead. Grant that I may grasp fully the gifts You have given to me and the graces You give to me and that I might use them in love for You and love for my sisters and brothers. Stir within me and kindle a fire of faith, intensified by my hope and fueled by love that will sustain me on my journey home. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.