Vigil Mass

Genesis 11:1-9

The famous story of Babel appears obvious in its significance. We see human arrogance in the project to build a tower to the heavens. We see that from God's perspective the great tower is hardly visible. And we see God confound the foolish project by confounding the language of the builders. All of this is true, but the story may be more complex that it appears at first glance. Recall that Genesis has already shown us how human rebellion against God inevitably leads to violence (Cain and Abel) and depravity (The Flood Account). Now we see that human arrogance is not only offensive to God, but oppressive of others. if some would be gods then others must be slaves. In this story, the project requires all the people to be alike and to engage in the same work. 
In this case the punishment may be a grace. the people are liberated from the false gods and their vain project. And they are restored to their natural variety. It is the destruction of a totalitarian state.
At the same time, the passage marks a turning point in God's "strategy" in engaging with human beings. Until this point in Genesis, God has reached out to humanity. Now in the following chapter, God will initiate a relationship with a single man and his family and nation. This special relationship will not abandon the mass of humanity, but serve as the blessing and deliverance of all. 

Exodus 19:3-8A, 16-20B

This passage from Exodus - a passage of encounter with the Lord and the gift of the Law - figured into the Jewish celebration of Pentecost. 
In this passage, we see the special role of Moses in communicating God's will to the people and we see the powerful presence of God Who remains present to His people. 
This is that pivotal moment when the people are invited into relationship - the moment when they must choose their response. To help them, the Lord will give them the gift of the Law.

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Joel 3:1-5
This famous vision of dry bones come to life expresses the deep faith of Israel that the Lord of Life is greater even than death. The One Who created may recreate. While the books of Torah pay little attention to the question of an afterlife, this passage in Ezekiel helps lay the foundation for the hopes of future generations. 
The Book of Joel prophesies a terrible locust plague and the miraculous delivery of the people from the disaster. In chapter 3, we begin to hear of the effects of the deliverance as the people are awakened to the presence of the Lord in their midst. Recalling Moses' prayer for the outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord and the ecstatic experiences of the people in past ages, the verses speak of remarkable signs in nature and the overwhelming effect of the Spirit on the people. And the passage looks forward to the Day of the Lord when God's reign will be fully manifest.

Psalm 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29, 30

This Psalm in praise of creation celebrates the overflowing power of the life which is given and sustained by the Lord. He creates that which also provides and sustains life. In this, we see a perfect image of the call of discipleship. The disciple prays to be re-created and to become a witness to the power and grace of God. in this, the disciple will himself or herself participate in that life-giving power of God.

Romans 8:22-27

This passage from Romans is a reminder that the Christian faith may not be reduced to a creedal formula or a moral code. It is about relationship. The disciple is invited to relationship with the Lord Jesus. By His grace, we are restored to the Father - and to our neighbors, ourselves, and creation itself. 
Relationships, by their nature, require response. God will not restore us contrary to our will. And so we must participate and in their we need grace yet again. We need the aid of the Spirit. The Lord Who has called us walks with us.

John 7:37-39

The Gospel of John focuses on the intimate communion that exists between Jesus and the Father - and the opening of that communion of love to the disciples. Even the gift of the Spirit is understood in these terms. In John, the Spirit assures that the relationship continues even after Jesus' passion and resurrection. The "Advocate" will be that ongoing presence of the Lord Jesus even in his absence. And it will continue the life-giving, transformative effects of that relationship.
As we hear this passage, we recall the words exchanged between Jesus and the Samaritan woman and the lame man beside the waters of the pool. And we look ahead to the death of Jesus on the cross. There, Jesus establishes a new family - behold thy mother - hands over "the Spirit" at His physical death, and then provides for the new family in the pouring forth of water and blood from His side. Note that the blood and water gush rather than seep -literally the spring prophesied in this passage.

Mass During the Day

Acts 2:1-11

The Lucan account of the gift of the Spirit uses biblical imagery and touches on themes that are key to Luke-Acts. The Jewish feast of Pentecost was associated with the gift of the Law - the central component of the relationship between the Lord and His people. This association provides an important background to the moment when the relationship with the Lord Jesus is sealed by the spirit. He is now the fulfillment of the Law - no longer words carved on stone, but the love and presence of God written in flesh.
The wind is redolent of the Spirit of the Lord which is described by the OT as "the breath of God." Fire, too, recalls, the theophany at Sinai.
The miraculous gift of tongues recalls Babel and we see that the new way of relating to the Lord transforms human relationships as well.
And the whole passage emphasizes the universal nature of the Christ event. In Genesis, God made the choice to work with the family of Abraham, but the purpose of that relationship was always with a view to the blessing of the nations. Now that moment has come and we will see it unfold over the course of Acts.

Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

This Psalm in praise of creation and its bounty reminds of God's sovereignty and the promise of re-creation and renewal. The disciples have just been made new by the gift of the Spirit and that renewal with overflow across the realm of creation.

First Corinthians 12:3B-7, 12-13

Paul provides two critical reflections on the nature of spiritual gifts. First, God's gifts to His people are many and diverse. There is no enforced sameness in a Spirit guided community. Second, that diversity finds unity not be becoming alike, but in sharing a single stance or focus - the Lord. All of the diverse gifts, and all of the diverse persons, serve the glory of the Lord.

Romans 8:8-17

Romans offers a remarkable summary of Paul's understanding of God's grace poured out on a sinful world. This passage reminds the Roman Christians that their summons to faith is transformative. As the Lord brings them into relationship with Him, He restores them to themselves, to each other, and to creation itself. They remain human, but they are renewed humans - recreated by grace. Everything about them, even their physical bodies must be touched by this new relationship.

John 20:19-23

In the biblical worldview, shalom is more than the absence of conflict. It is the presence of right relationship with God. Jesus' announcement of peace to His disciples is an electric moment. Everything they had hoped for in the fulfillment of God's promises has now been exceeded by the shocking death and equally shocking resurrection of Jesus. Everything has been changed by this relationship with Jesus. And as He promised them, His presence continues. They now have His spirit and they receive the commission to do His work of reconciliation.

John 14:15-16, 23B-26

This passage brings us back before the death and resurrection of Jesus. It forms part of the long address that Jesus delivers to His disciples, preparing them for the events of the passion and their role following the resurrection of the Lord. 
In this moment, following the foot washing, Jesus reassures them that He will not end His life-giving relationship with them. in fact, the relationship will deepen and become permanent by the power of the Spirit.