Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Lectionary: 580/362
Lectionary: 580/362
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.
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.
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 Psalm98:1, 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.
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.
AlleluiaJN 13:34
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT
5:20-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
For the readings of the Memorial of Saint Barnabas, please
go here.
Meditation: Be
reconciled to your brother
Are
you ever driven by anger, rage, or revenge? The first person to hate his
brother was Cain, the son of Adam and Eve. God warned Cain: Why are you
angry? ..Sin is couching at the door; it's desire is for you, but you must
master it (Genesis 4:6-7). Sin doesn't just happen to us - it first
grows as a tiny seed in our heart. Unless it is uprooted by God's grace, it
grows like a weed and chokes the vine and all its fruit.
Forbidden
anger must be uprooted from our heart
Jesus addressed the issue of keeping the commandments with his disciples. The scribes and Pharisees equated righteousness with satisfying the outward observance of the law. Jesus showed them how short they had come. Jesus points to the heart as the seat of desire and choice. Unless evil and forbidden desires are eradicated, the heart will be corrupted. Jesus points to forbidden anger with one's brother. This is a selfish anger that broods and is long-lived, that nurses a grudge and keeps wrath warm, and that refuses to die. Harboring anger in the heart as well as anger in speech and action are equally forbidden by God.
Jesus addressed the issue of keeping the commandments with his disciples. The scribes and Pharisees equated righteousness with satisfying the outward observance of the law. Jesus showed them how short they had come. Jesus points to the heart as the seat of desire and choice. Unless evil and forbidden desires are eradicated, the heart will be corrupted. Jesus points to forbidden anger with one's brother. This is a selfish anger that broods and is long-lived, that nurses a grudge and keeps wrath warm, and that refuses to die. Harboring anger in the heart as well as anger in speech and action are equally forbidden by God.
God's
love and truth sets us free from anger and malice
What is the antidote to anger and rage? Mercy, kindness, and forbearance spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness. God has forgiven us and he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who cause us grief and harm. In the cross of Jesus we see the supreme example of love and forgiveness and the power of goodness for overcoming evil. Only God's love and grace can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny of wounded pride and spiteful revenge.
What is the antidote to anger and rage? Mercy, kindness, and forbearance spring from a heart full of love and forgiveness. God has forgiven us and he calls us to extend mercy and forgiveness towards those who cause us grief and harm. In the cross of Jesus we see the supreme example of love and forgiveness and the power of goodness for overcoming evil. Only God's love and grace can set our hearts and minds free from the tyranny of wounded pride and spiteful revenge.
Do
you harbor any anger towards another person? And are you quick to be reconciled
when a rupture has been caused in your relationships? Ask God to set you free
and to fill your heart and mind with his love and goodness. Paul the Apostle
reminds us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the
Holy Spirit which has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). Through the grace
and help of the Holy Spirit we can overcome malice with good, hatred with
kindness, and injury with pardon.
"May
I be no man's enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and
abides. May I never quarrel with those nearest me: and if I do, may I be
reconciled quickly. May I love, seek, and attain only that which is good. May I
wish for all men's happiness and envy none. May I never rejoice in the
ill-fortune of one who has wronged me. When I have done or said what is wrong,
may I never wait for the rebuke of others, but always rebuke myself until I
make amends. May I win no victory that harms either me or my opponent. May I
reconcile friends who are angry with one another. May I never fail a friend who
is in danger. When visiting those in grief may I be able by gentle and healing
words to soften their pain. May I respect myself. May I always keep tame that
which rages within me. May I accustom myself to be gentle, and never be angry
with people because of circumstances. May I never discuss who is wicked and
what wicked things he has done, but know good men and follow in their
footsteps." (Prayer of Eusebius, 3rd century)
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: Taming the Tongue, by Augustine of
Hippo (354-430 AD)
"What
are we to do? Whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of
fire. But no human being can tame the tongue. Will everyone
therefore go to the hell of fire? By no means. Lord, you have become
our refuge from generation to generation (Psalm 90:1). Your wrath is
just. You send no one to hell unjustly. Where shall I go from your
spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence (Psalm 139:7), unless
to you? Thus let us understand, my dearly beloved, that if no human being can
tame the tongue, we must take refuge in God, who will tame it. Does your own
human nature prevent you from taming your tongue? No human being can
tame the tongue (James 3:8). Consider this analogy from the animals
that we tame. A horse does not tame itself; a camel does not tame itself; an
elephant does not tame itself; a snake does not tame itself; a lion does not
tame itself. So too a man does not tame himself. In order to tame a horse, an
ox, a camel, an elephant, a lion and a snake, a human being is required.
Therefore God should be required in order for a human being to be tamed. (excerpt
from Sermon 55:2)
THURSDAY,JUNE 11, MATTHEW 5:20-26
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, apostle
(Acts 11:21b-26, 13:1-3; Psalm 98)
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, apostle
(Acts 11:21b-26, 13:1-3; Psalm 98)
KEY VERSE: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (v. 20).
TO KNOW: Jesus was a teacher greater than Moses. Jesus told his disciples that their holiness must exceed the virtues of the religious leaders. He expanded and deepened the literal meaning of the Mosaic Law. Godliness must surpass mere external observances; it must penetrate the heart. Obeying the Law by practicing justice, and showing compassion toward the poor, constituted the ideal for virtuous living. Jesus invited his disciples to move beyond "an eye for an eye" (Mt 5:38) by seeking vengeance. He asked, can you love your enemy? Can you let go of bitterness, hatred and vicious thoughts, and give back understanding, forgiveness and healing? Without a willingness to have one's heart changed, salvation cannot be experienced.
TO LOVE: Have I made plans to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to confess my sins and amend my life.
Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, came to the faith soon after Pentecost, and took the name Barnabas (“son of encouragement”). Although he was not one of the chosen Twelve Apostles, Barnabas is mentioned frequently in the book of Acts, and is considered an Apostle. Barnabas introduced Paul to the Apostles. Like Paul, Barnabas believed in the Church's mission to the Gentiles, and was Paul's companion on his first missionary journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor. Paul and Barnabas argued over taking Barnabas' cousin John Mark on their second journey because Mark had deserted them on their first journey. Paul and Barnabas separated, and Barnabas and Mark went on to evangelize in Cyprus. Barnabas was possibly the author of some apocryphal works. Tradition says that he preached in Alexandria and Rome, and was stoned to death at Salamis about 61 AD. He is considered the founder of the Church in Antioch. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). At the time of his death it is said that Barnabas was carrying a copy of the Gospel of Saint Matthew, which he had copied by hand.
Thursday 11 June 2020
St Barnabas. 1 Kings 18:41-46. It is right to praise you in
Zion, O God – Psalm 64(65):10-13. Matthew 5:20-26.
‘If your virtue goes no deeper . . .’
St Barnabas, whose feast we celebrate today, was called to go
deeper in his spiritual life and faith journey.
For him, it literally was a journey, beginning
in Cyprus as a Jewish man called Joseph. When he encountered the Christian
faith, the apostles called him Barnabas, or ‘son of encouragement’.
Was he a product of their own encouragement, or did he encourage
others? Certainly, he was known as ‘a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and
with faith,’ yet he was called to something more. Together with St Paul, he
travelled across the known world to spread Christianity far beyond its original
Jewish territory.
What is the ‘more’ that we are called to today? How can we go
beyond a good or virtuous life, to creatively witness to the good news of
Christ’s incarnation and resurrection? May the life of Barnabas encourage us to
take the next step.
Saint Barnabas
Saint of the Day for June 11
(c. 75)
 |
| Stained glass window of Saints Peter and Barnabas in the cathedral of Saint Corentin| photo by Thesupermat |
Saint Barnabas’ Story
Barnabas, a Jew of Cyprus, comes as close as anyone outside the
Twelve to being a full-fledged apostle. He was closely associated with Saint
Paul—he introduced Paul to Peter and the other apostles—and served as a kind of
mediator between the former persecutor and the still suspicious Jewish
Christians.
When a Christian community developed at Antioch, Barnabas was
sent as the official representative of the church of Jerusalem to incorporate
them into the fold. He and Paul instructed in Antioch for a year, after which
they took relief contributions to Jerusalem.
Later Paul and Barnabas, now clearly seen as charismatic
leaders, were sent by Antioch officials to preach to the gentiles. Enormous
success crowned their efforts. After a miracle at Lystra, the people wanted to
offer sacrifice to them as gods—Barnabas being Zeus, and Paul, Hermes—but the
two said, “We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you
good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God” (see Acts
14:8-18).
But all was not peaceful. They were expelled from one town, they
had to go to Jerusalem to clear up the ever-recurring controversy about
circumcision, and even the best of friends can have differences. When Paul
wanted to revisit the places they had evangelized, Barnabas wanted to take
along his cousin John Mark, author of the Gospel, but Paul insisted
that since Mark had deserted them once, he was not fit to take along now. The
disagreement that followed was so sharp that Barnabas and Paul separated:
Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus, Paul taking Silas to Syria. Later they were
reconciled—Paul, Barnabas and Mark.
When Paul stood up to Peter for not eating with gentiles for
fear of his Jewish friends, we learn that “even Barnabas was carried away by
their hypocrisy” (see Galatians 2:1-13).
Reflection
Barnabas is spoken of simply as one who dedicated his life to
the Lord. He was a man “filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Thereby, large
numbers were added to the Lord.” Even when he and Paul were expelled from
Antioch in Pisidia—modern-day Turkey—they were “filled with joy and the Holy
Spirit.”
Saint Barnabas is the Patron Saint of:
Cyprus
Lectio Divina: Saint Barnabas, Apostle Mt 10: 7-13
Lectio Divina
Thursday, June 11, 2020
1) Opening prayer
Lord our God,
prompted by the Holy Spirit,
the church of Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas
on their missionary mission among pagans.
Let your Church everywhere send
good, zealous men and women as missionaries.
Fill them with the Holy Spirit and with faith,
that they may touch the hearts of people
and win them as disciples and friends
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
good, zealous men and women as missionaries.
Fill them with the Holy Spirit and with faith,
that they may touch the hearts of people
and win them as disciples and friends
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 10:7-13
Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation:
'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse
lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are
to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the
journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves
his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the
house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to
you."
3) Reflection
• Today is the feast of Saint Barnabas. The Gospel speaks about
the teachings of Jesus to the disciples on how to announce the Good News of the
Kingdom to “the lost sheep of Israel” (Mt 10:6). They have to a) cure the sick,
raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out devils (v. 8); b) announce what
they have received gratuitously (v. 8); c) provide themselves with no gold or
silver, no sandals, or staff, no sack, or a second tunic (v. 9), d) seek a
house where they can be received until the end of the mission (v. 11); e) be
bearers of peace (v. 13).
• At the time of Jesus there were various movements which, like
Him, were seeking a new way of living and of living together with others. For
example, John the Baptist, the Pharisees, the Essenes and others. Many of them
formed communities of disciples (Jn 1:35; Lk 11:1; Acts 19:3) and had their
missionaries (Mt 23:15). But there was a great difference! The Pharisees, for
example, when they went on mission, provided for their needs. They thought that
they could not trust the food that people would offer them because it was not
always “ritually pure.” Because of this they always carried a sack and money so
as to be able to take care of what they would eat. In this way, the observance
of the law of purity, instead of helping to overcome divisions, weakened the
living of community values even more. The proposal of Jesus is different. His
method was seen in the counsels which He gives to the apostles when He sends
them on mission. Through this instruction, He tries to renew and reorganize the
communities of Galilee in a way that they would once again be the expression of
the covenant, an example of the Kingdom of God.
• Matthew 10:7: The announcement that the kingdom of Heaven
is at hand. Jesus invites the disciples to announce the Good News. They
should say, “The kingdom of Heaven is close at hand!” What does it mean
that the Kingdom is close at hand? It does not mean the closeness of time, in
the sense that it is only a short time and then the Kingdom will come. “The Kingdom
is close at hand” means that it is already within reach of the people, it is
already “in your midst” (Lk 17:21). It is good to take a new look to
be able to see its presence or proximity. The coming of the Kingdom is not the
fruit of our observance, as the Pharisees wanted, but it becomes present in the
actions which Jesus recommends to the Apostles: to cure the sick, to raise the
dead, to cleanse the lepers, to drive out demons.
• Matthew 10:8: To cure, to raise, to purify, to drive
out. The sick, the dead, the lepers, the possessed, were all excluded from
living together with others and they were excluded in the name of God. They
could not participate in the life of the community. Jesus orders the disciples
to accept these people, to include them. The kingdom of God becomes present in
these gestures of acceptance and inclusion. In these gestures of human
gratuity is shown God’s love, which reconstructs communal living
and mends interpersonal relationships.
• Matthew 10:9-10: Do not take anything. Unlike other
missionaries, the Apostles can take nothing: “Provide yourselves with no
gold or silver, not even with copper for your belts, with no sack for the
journey or a spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the laborer deserves his
keep.” The only thing which you can and should take is peace (Mt 10:13).
This means that they have to trust in the hospitality and sharing of the
people, because the disciple who does not take anything with him and
takes peace indicates that he trusts people. He believes that he will be
received, and the people will feel appreciated, valued, and confirmed. The
laborer has the right to his nourishment. In doing this, the disciple
criticizes the laws of exclusion and recovers the ancient values of sharing and
of community living.
• Matthew 10:11-13: To live together and to integrate
oneself in the community. Arriving at a place, the disciples have to choose a
house of peace and they should remain there until the end. They should not go
from one house to the next, but rather live in a stable way. They should become
members of the community and work for peace, that is, to reconstruct the human
relationships which will favor peace. By means of this practice, they recover
an ancient tradition of the people, they criticize the culture of accumulation,
typical of the politics of the Roman Empire and they announce a new model of
living together.
• Summary: The actions recommended by Jesus to announce the
Kingdom are the following: accept the excluded, trust hospitality, encourage
sharing, and live stably and in a peaceful way. If this happens, then we can
and should cry out openly to the four corners of the world, “The Kingdom is
among us!” To proclaim the Kingdom does not consist, in the first
place, of teaching truth and doctrine, catechism and Canon Law, but to lead
persons to a new way of living and of living together with others, to a new way
of thinking and acting, starting with the Good News, brought by Jesus:
God is Father and Mother, and therefore, we are all brothers and sisters.
4) Personal questions
•Why are all these attitudes recommended by Jesus signs of the
Kingdom of God in our midst?
• How would you announce the Kingdom among us today? To whom would you need or want to announce it?
• In making this announcement, by being an example of the Kingdom in action, to go on this mission, it is an invitation to the hearer to come closer to Christ and the Church. Action goes hand-in-hand with knowledge and an understanding of what the community is about. What would be your next steps in bringing someone closer to the community, Jesus, and His Church?
• Do these instructions help us to discern true disciples of Jesus from those who use His name to distort the truth and build a big bank account for themselves?
• How would you announce the Kingdom among us today? To whom would you need or want to announce it?
• In making this announcement, by being an example of the Kingdom in action, to go on this mission, it is an invitation to the hearer to come closer to Christ and the Church. Action goes hand-in-hand with knowledge and an understanding of what the community is about. What would be your next steps in bringing someone closer to the community, Jesus, and His Church?
• Do these instructions help us to discern true disciples of Jesus from those who use His name to distort the truth and build a big bank account for themselves?
For further knowledge
Many religious orders other than the Order of Carmelites, as
communities, build on these missionary instructions of Jesus as well. The
Benedictines take a vow of stability, to not move from place to place. Others,
of the mendicant movement such as Franciscans and Dominicans, rely on the
material support of others. Take some time today to look into and read about
the various Orders and the ways they have chosen to announce the Kingdom of God
in the world.
5) Concluding Prayer
Sing a new song to Yahweh,
for He has performed wonders,
His saving power is in His right hand and His holy arm. (Ps 98:1)
for He has performed wonders,
His saving power is in His right hand and His holy arm. (Ps 98:1)
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét