In the first reading the hearers of the disciples questioned how it was that, “we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God!” In our own environment do we proclaim the might acts of God for people to hear? Are we willing to allow the Spirit to use our voices, our language, our presence to proclaim the marvelous things God has done? Our proclamation may be the only one someone hears, are we always ready to let the glory of God be known?
Paul reminds us in the second reading that, “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.” Do we use the gifts we have been given? Do we allow others to use the gifts they have been given? Do we try to fit God into our own boxes and only allow those things we like to be available or used?
The Gospel has Jesus telling the disciples, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Do we forgive the sins of others against us? If God forgives them, who are we to not forgive? Remember in the Our Father we ask that our trespasses be forgive as we too forgive others. Is there someone whom we have not forgiven?
Countenance of God 