Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Lectionary: 580/360
Reading 1
ACTS 11:21B-26; 13:1-3
In those days a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the grace of God,
he rejoiced and encouraged them all
to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, completing their fasting and prayer,
they laid hands on them and sent them off.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6
R. (see 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Alleluia
Matthew 5:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let your light shine before others
That they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Matthew 5:13-16
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world.
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand,
where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Reflection 1
Catholic Daily Reflections
Salt and Light for the World
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world…” Matthew 5:13–14
Every Christian has two primary duties in life. First, we must strive for personal holiness. And second, we must work to help others achieve this same degree of holiness. This is what it means to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”
Consider salt. Salt is a preservative, and it also adds flavor to food. It does so by entering the food and, in a sense, disappearing. So it must be with us. First, our Lord must enter our lives and preserve us from the corruption of sin. But as He does so, He will also bring out our goodness in a way that the “flavor” of holiness is evident to others. In this way, we will be used as salt for others. This is especially done by our works of charity.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux said in her autobiography, “I see now that true charity consists in bearing with the faults of those about us, never being surprised at their weaknesses, but edified at the least sign of their virtue.” She believed that this was especially the way we act as salt and light to others. We help to preserve others from sin by being merciful to them when they are weak. We enrich their lives by seeing their goodness and rejoicing in it. And we do so in a hidden way. By our gentleness and compassion, our kindness and mercy, we preserve others and help them to grow in God’s abundant grace. And we do so, many times, without them even realizing how God used us.
Consider, also, light. The world in which we live is oftentimes quite dark and despairing. There is corruption all around us and temptations abound. Thus, the light of Christ must be made manifest far and wide. Those all around us need to see clearly the path to holiness and happiness. Again, this is possible if we first work to become light itself. Christ, the true Light of the World, must so permeate our lives that we find it almost automatic to shine brightly in a fallen world. When Christ is alive in us, we will radiate joy and peace, calm and conviction, moral goodness and determination. And when we live this way, we will not have to “impose” the Gospel on others; rather, God’s light will simply shine and be a beacon of hope to those who come into our presence.
Reflect, today, upon these two missions in life. First, ponder your call to holiness. How does God want to bring light into your own life, preserve you from all sin and add spiritual flavor for holy living? Second, who does God want you to love with His love? Who needs hope and joy, mercy and kindness, words of wisdom and encouragement? Be holy and then allow that holiness to shine forth to others and you will indeed be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Reflection 2
One Bread, One Body
GOD WORKING THROUGH YOU
“The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number of them believed and were converted to the Lord. News of this eventually reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, resulting in Barnabas’ being sent to Antioch.” —Acts 11:21-22
Some of you are like St. Barnabas. You have sold your property and given the proceeds to the Church (Acts 4:36-37). Because of the Lord working through you, the lives of thousands of people are being transformed. Thank God for you!
Some of you are like Barnabas. You are “filled with the Holy Spirit and faith” (Acts 11:24). You are encouraging other Christians “to remain firm in their commitment to the Lord” (Acts 11:23). Because of the Lord working through you, “large numbers” are “added to the Lord” (Acts 11:24). Thank God for you!
Some of you are like Barnabas. You are fasting and praying and willing to go wherever the Holy Spirit sends you (Acts 13:2). Through your obedience, the Lord is delivering many people “from the power of darkness” and transferring them to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col 1:13). Thank God for you!
What would the world be like without the Lord working through people who are like St. Barnabas? Through you, the Lord can do more than we can ever ask for or imagine (see Eph 3:20). Through people like Barnabas, God does even greater works than Jesus did (Jn 14:12). Thank God for Barnabas and for you! Be like Barnabas.
Prayer: Father, may I live the life of good works for which You have created me (see Eph 2:10).
Promise: “Cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons.” —Mt 10:8
Praise: St. Barnabas dedicated much of his life to coming to the aid of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Reflection 3
By Fr. Martin Hogan
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Barnabas. He was born in Cyprus and became a leading member of the church in Jerusalem. He had a reputation in the early church for giving encouragement to others. Indeed Barnabas is a kind of nickname which means ‘son of encouragement’. We see him engaged in that ministry of encouragement in this morning’s first reading. There was something new happening in the church of Antioch. The gospel had been preached to pagans as well as Jews for the first time. A new kind of church was emerging there, a church which was a mixture of Jews and non-Jews. Barnabas was sent down to take a look at what was happening and he immediately recognized it as the work of the Lord and gave great encouragement to this new development. He was right; it was the work of the Lord. The Lord is always at work in new and creative ways among us and it is a great gift to be able to recognize the work of the Lord wherever it is to be found, and to celebrate and encourage that work. Barnabas had this gift of noticing where the Lord was a work because as that first reading says he was filled with the Holy Spirit. We need to be open to the Spirit, to be filled with the Spirit, to recognize the work of the Spirit. As Saint Paul says in one of his letter, spiritual things are discerned spiritually.
Prayers
My Jesus, the true Light of the World, please shine brightly in my life so that I will see clearly and will be preserved from the darkness of sin. As You fill me with Your light, please use me as an instrument of Your love and mercy to a world filled with chaos and confusion. Dispel the darkness, dear Lord, and use me as Your instrument as You will. Jesus, I trust in You.
Lord Jesus, you guide me by the light of your saving truth. Fill my heart and mind with your light and truth and free me from the blindness of sin and deception that I may see your ways clearly and understand your will for my life. May I radiate your light and truth to others in word and deed
Daily Reflections on Divine Mercy
Reflection 162: Light Dispels the Darkness
Light dispels the darkness. Scientifically speaking, we know that light and dark are not opposing forces; rather, dark is the absence of light. And when light enters in, the darkness is no more. So it is with the Mercy of God. Without Mercy, our souls are dark. We fall into doubt, confusion, fear and despair when Mercy is absent. In this case, we are left in utter darkness where the filth of sin can reign. But God desires to bring the light of His Mercy. When this happens, and when we open our souls to this gift, the darkness of doubt, confusion, fear and despair vanish. They cannot remain where the Light of Mercy resides (See Diary #831).
When you look at your soul, what do you see? Is there darkness? Do you see its foul effects? Do you see doubt, confusion, fear or despair? Do you see sin? If so, the Lord desires to dispel the darkness that breeds these burdens and bring forth His merciful Light. Reflect upon the part of your soul that appears to be in most need of His Mercy. Know that He wants to enter that area of your life and waits on you for the permission to do so. He will wait for you to let Him in.
Lord, please come into the darkness of my soul. Bring forth the bright rays of Your Light and dispel all that is not of You. Come refresh me and renew me, Lord. Help me to see and to know Your great love. I desire to live in the Light of Your Mercy, dear Lord. Jesus, I trust in You.
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