First Reading: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3
Psalm: Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Gospel: Mt 10:7-13
Sat: Barnabas, ap M
Acts 11: 21b-26; 13: 1-3/ Ps 98: 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6/ Gospel
1st Reading: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3
The hand of the Lord was with them so that a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the manifest signs of God’s favor, he rejoiced and urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the Lord; for he, himself, was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Thus large crowds came to know the Lord.
Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus, to look for Saul; and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year, they had meetings with the Church and instructed many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
There were at Antioch—in the Church which was there—prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon known as Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod, and Saul. On one occasion, while they were celebrating the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do the work for which I have called them.” So, after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Responsorial Psalm; Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Gospel: Mt 10:7-13
Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. Freely have you received, freely give. Do not carry any gold or silver or money in your purses. Do not take a traveling bag, or an extra shirt, or sandals, or a walking stick: workers deserve to be compensated.
When you come to a town or a village, look for a worthy person, and stay there until you leave.
When you enter the house, wish it peace. If the people are worthy people, your peace will rest on them; if they are not worthy people, your blessing will come back to you.
Reflection:
Potential Epitaph
What greater complement can one receive on this side of life than what the Book of Acts says of Barnabas: “He was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith”! The Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul to bring the Good News to the gentiles. The very name ‘Barnabas’ meant “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation.” What else is the Good News other than the announcement of God’s consolation and encouragement, the Gospel of our adoption and redemption? It is all about healing the sicknesses of our souls bringing us back to a life of hope, cleansing us from all that make us impure, and driving out our internal demons of fear, hatred, and violence. Barnabas did justice to the Gospel mandate by his very name and ministry. Will the Lukan description of Barnabas be a fitting epitaph for you, when you have run your race on this side of life?