Saint Barnabas

Barnabas, a Jew of Cyprus,

Originally named Joseph, the other apostles gave him the name Barnabas,

which means “son of encouragement.”

He was a man who dedicated his life to the Lord.

With St. Paul, was an apostle to the gentiles.

 

＊＊＊ 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.

 

Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Matthew 5:17-19

Do not think that I have come to annul the law and the prophets. I have not come to annul them,

but to fulfill them. I tell you this: as long as heaven and earth last, not the smallest letter or dot in the law will change,

until all is fulfilled. So then, whoever breaks the least important of these commandments,

and teaches others to do the same, will be the least in the kingdom of heaven.

On the other hand, whoever obeys them, and teaches others to do the same, will be great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Share a living experience of the faith."

The qualities of Saint Barnabas are most admirable. He is described as "a good man,

filled with the Holy Spirit and faith." His own name was Joseph, but he received a nickname in keeping with his supportive,

positive attitude towards the community of believers, and so he was known as Barnabas, meaning "the encouraging one" (Acts 4:36).

 

Barnabas is involved in instructing in the faith. Many people in the Church are regularly involved in the work of catechesis,

especially in parishes, either in passing on the faith to children or in preparing adults for Baptism.

Pope Francis teaches that it is vital that catechists "share a living experience of the faith."

In other words, knowledge of doctrine or the commandments is not enough.

 

This must be underpinned by a life of faith and prayer,

so that our experience of being disciples of Christ will encourage others to be the same.

Let's pray for all the lay people, religious and priests involved in catechesis.

May their teaching come from a good heart that is filled with the Holy Spirit and faith,

and may they, like Barnabas, be sons and daughters of encouragement.