First reading Acts 11:21-26,13:1-3
He was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith
A great number believed and were converted to the Lord.
The church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord.
Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’
In the church at Antioch the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and keeping a fast, the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.’ So it was that after fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Responsorial Psalm 97(98):1-6
The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love
for the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
ring out your joy.
Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp
with the sound of music.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
acclaim the King, the Lord.
Gospel Matthew 10:7-13
You received without charge: give without charge
Jesus said to his apostles, ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.
‘Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you.’
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Barnabas
“… he (Barnabas) urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith…” (1st reading). Barnabas means “son of encouragement”. Everywhere he went, Barnabas mentored and supported the early Christians. When Paul, after his conversion, tried to meet Jesus’ disciples, they rejected him. Barnabas was the one who went to bring Paul back to meet them (Acts 9:26-27). Later, in Paul’s missionary journey, he did not allow Mark to join them on the trip. Barnabas refused to give up on Mark (Acts 15: 36-41). Indeed, Barnabas was always ready to see the good in others and to encourage them to grow.
In the gospel, Jesus calls us to go and proclaim the good news of God’s love. Each of us is sent to bring hope, healing and love to others around us by using the gifts God has given us. Barnabas’ gift was to encourage others, and through this gift, he brought life to many. Today, let us give freely of the gifts we receive for the sake of the mission.
Reflective question:
Do I have a Barnabas in my life of faith?
Do I have a Barnabas in my life of faith?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
