9th Week of Pentecost

Acts 19:1-10
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and came (down) to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a holy Spirit.” He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid (his) hands on them, the holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men. He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the kingdom of God. But when some in their obstinacy and disbelief disparaged the Way before the assembly, he withdrew and took his disciples with him and began to hold daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years with the result that all the inhabitants of the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord, Jews and Greeks alike.

Luke 11:37-41
After he had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.

Jesus calls us not to be hypocrites, by being clean on the inside. Paul tells the 12 men that external washing is not enough, but that one must be baptized with fire and Spirit. God wants to change or hearts and transform us, so that we live the lives we were called to live.

Lord, have mercy on us and save us.
Lord of might,
we beg you to hear our prayer and petitions.
Restore our consciences that have been deformed by sin,
dress our wounds,
and pour upon us the oil of your kindness.
Thus, walking calm and secure amid the waves of this world’s
ocean,
we shall offer you at all times the fruits of thanksgiving pleasing to you.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to you be glory,
now and forever.
Amen.