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 shown his salvation to the nations.
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.
The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
ring out your joy.
The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
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.
The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
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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St Barnabas
“And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand…”: These words of Jesus in the Gospel today are beautifully embodied by St Barnabas, whose memorial we celebrate today. His name means “Son of Encouragement”, and he truly lived up to that title. Barnabas was instrumental in supporting Paul after his conversion and played a crucial role in persuading the early Christian community to welcome him. Together with Paul, he worked in Antioch, where the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” (1st reading). Barnabas’ actions were driven by his unwavering commitment to proclaiming the Kingdom of God, sharing the good news of God’s love, mercy and justice, and helping people experience the joy of believing in Jesus.
As Christ’s disciples today, we should strive to follow in the footsteps of Barnabas. We must witness Christ’s love and avoid unkindness and harshness. Like Barnabas, we need to learn how to encourage one another in our faith and serve as bridges that lead others to God.
Reflective question:
How can I live my faith like St Barnabas?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
