Bible Diary

Daily Reading

Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

LECTIONARY
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FIRST READING

ACTS 11:21B-26; 12:1-3

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.

PSALM

PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6

Response: 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.

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.

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.

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.

GOSPEL

MT 10:7-13

And preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without pay, give without pay. Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. As you enter the house, salute it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Daily Reflection

The message of Jesus in today’s Gospel, is embodied in the saint we honour today, Barnabas. He sold his property, gave the proceeds to the Apostles and lived in common with the earliest converts to Christianity in Jerusalem. A Jew, born in Cyprus, Barnabas went on to become a missionary to the Jews and Gentiles accompanying Paul on many missionary journeys. In fact, when Paul first returned to Jerusalem after his conversion experience, Barnabas was the intermediary who helped diffuse the tension and assure the Apostles and the Christians, that Paul was a truly a changed person after his encounter with the risen Lord. Together with Paul, Barnabas helped cater not just to the spiritual needs of the converts, but also provided financial aid to those in need. It was at Antioch where he and Paul spent a year catechizing people, that the disciples were first called Christians.

Barnabas meaning “son of encouragement” wasn’t his birth name; it was Joseph. Barnabas was a nickname given to him because of his nature.

May the life of St Barnabas inspire us to boldly witness to Christ, help people reconcile their differences and encourage each other on our faith journey.