(Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time)
Additional Information about St. Barnabas
Alternate Proper for the Memorial of St. Barnabas
Readings for the Memorial of St. Barnabas
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary: [3]
FIRST READING [3]
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3
The up-swelling of believers outside of Jerusalem may be indirectly attributed to the efforts of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. By driving out many of the Hellenistic Christians in Jerusalem, these pilgrims took their faith with them and planted the seeds of faith in Antioch (and other places within the Roman Empire). To affect consistent catechesis and evangelization Barnabas was sent to help form this informal community into a center of faith which in its turn launched others to fulfill the mission of Christ in the world.
Barnabas is sent by the body of the Apostles to investigate the situation in Antioch and to discover what Paul is doing. Recall, Paul went through his conversion on the road to Damascus and never received guidance or direction from the Apostles. The last they knew, St. Paul was still on the “other side”. Barnabas journey therefore was, at least until he reached Antioch, tense. Barnabas finds Paul in Antioch and the two of them begin an aggressive evangelical ministry.
In the second section (Ch. 13) we see Barnabas and Saul (St. Paul) sent out from Antioch to spread the Gospel. Saul the convert and Barnabas the Apostle were set apart by the Lord of this purpose and strengthened themselves spiritually through prayer and fasting prior to their journey.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 121:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
R. (see 2) Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
Indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The Lord will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The Lord will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 121:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Psalm 121 is a hymn of blessing given prior to a long and difficult journey. These strophes explain that God is faithful and will protect the traveler from harm – God is always with us (“…he is beside you at your right hand. The sun shall not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.”)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 5:1-12a
This section of the Sermon on the Mount begins the first of five great discourses in St. Matthew’s Gospel. He begins using a formula common in the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament with “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”(Job 5:17; Proverbs 3:13; Sirach 25:8-9) This designation identifies those without material resources, completely dependent upon God. (This distinction is for the devout poor). The discourse continues blessing they who mourn, who are meek, who “hunger” for righteousness (to adopt the Lord’s law of love in their hearts), the merciful, the clean of heart (those who are reconciled to God), the peacemakers, the persecuted, and finally those who will be reviled because they profess faith in Christ.
The litany of praises for those to be blessed by the Lord has an overarching theme. It holds up the spiritual strength of complete dependence on God for life, health, and prosperity. St. Matthew captures the strength in that dependence and God’s promise of salvation through the words of the Savior.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
St. Barnabas, whose feast day we celebrate today, is a remarkable figure in the history of Christianity. He was not one of the “Twelve” yet like St. Paul, his longtime friend and confederate; bore the title “Apostle”. Scripture tells us that he was born on Cyprus and was of the tribe of Levi (Acts 4: 36). Born with the name “John”, the Twelve renamed him Barnabas which means “Son of Encouragement”. He lived up to this name as we hear in the first reading, for when he arrived in Antioch and found a lively Christian community thriving there “…he rejoiced and encouraged them all”.
In the latter part of that same account from Acts the church prays over both St. Barnabas and St. Paul and sends them on what we now know was St. Paul’s first missionary journey. And what was their first stop; Cyprus, St. Barnabas’ home of origin.
As we recall the important role St. Barnabas played at the very beginning of our Church, we take away three lesions. First, we give thanks for God’s gift of St. Barnabas. With St. Paul they were the first ones who accepted the Lord’s instruction to take the Gospel to the whole world. As St. Matthew’s Gospel tells us, they were not always accepted, but challenged in their work. Yet they were courageous in the face of this opposition.
Next we see in St. Barnabas one who, like many of those singled out by God for special purposes, one like ourselves with no special outward mark that would have caused us to take note of him. Yet, he accepted the mission to which God called him and for which the Church ordained him. His example is one that should inspire us all.
Finally, we see in St. Barnabas the apostolate of encouragement. He spoke out for the faith fearlessly, yes. But he also encouraged those who faced challenges to the faith as his name implies. His encouragement of others is an important mission, one we may all accept as we encourage one another to live a more active faith.
Today we ask St. Barnabas to pray for us that we might accept the portion of that mission that was entrusted to him, and like him, be an encouragement to others.
Pax
[1] ALTRE – 359/580
[2] The picture is “Apostles Paul and Barnabas in Lystra” by Jacob Jordaens, 1645
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
Readings for the Memorial of St. Barnabas
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary: [3]
FIRST READING [3]
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3
The up-swelling of believers outside of Jerusalem may be indirectly attributed to the efforts of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. By driving out many of the Hellenistic Christians in Jerusalem, these pilgrims took their faith with them and planted the seeds of faith in Antioch (and other places within the Roman Empire). To affect consistent catechesis and evangelization Barnabas was sent to help form this informal community into a center of faith which in its turn launched others to fulfill the mission of Christ in the world.
Barnabas is sent by the body of the Apostles to investigate the situation in Antioch and to discover what Paul is doing. Recall, Paul went through his conversion on the road to Damascus and never received guidance or direction from the Apostles. The last they knew, St. Paul was still on the “other side”. Barnabas journey therefore was, at least until he reached Antioch, tense. Barnabas finds Paul in Antioch and the two of them begin an aggressive evangelical ministry.
In the second section (Ch. 13) we see Barnabas and Saul (St. Paul) sent out from Antioch to spread the Gospel. Saul the convert and Barnabas the Apostle were set apart by the Lord of this purpose and strengthened themselves spiritually through prayer and fasting prior to their journey.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 121:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
R. (see 2) Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me?
My help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
May he not suffer your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
Indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The sun shall not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
The Lord will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The Lord will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 121:1bc-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Psalm 121 is a hymn of blessing given prior to a long and difficult journey. These strophes explain that God is faithful and will protect the traveler from harm – God is always with us (“…he is beside you at your right hand. The sun shall not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.”)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mt 5:1-12a
This section of the Sermon on the Mount begins the first of five great discourses in St. Matthew’s Gospel. He begins using a formula common in the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament with “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”(Job 5:17; Proverbs 3:13; Sirach 25:8-9) This designation identifies those without material resources, completely dependent upon God. (This distinction is for the devout poor). The discourse continues blessing they who mourn, who are meek, who “hunger” for righteousness (to adopt the Lord’s law of love in their hearts), the merciful, the clean of heart (those who are reconciled to God), the peacemakers, the persecuted, and finally those who will be reviled because they profess faith in Christ.
The litany of praises for those to be blessed by the Lord has an overarching theme. It holds up the spiritual strength of complete dependence on God for life, health, and prosperity. St. Matthew captures the strength in that dependence and God’s promise of salvation through the words of the Savior.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
St. Barnabas, whose feast day we celebrate today, is a remarkable figure in the history of Christianity. He was not one of the “Twelve” yet like St. Paul, his longtime friend and confederate; bore the title “Apostle”. Scripture tells us that he was born on Cyprus and was of the tribe of Levi (Acts 4: 36). Born with the name “John”, the Twelve renamed him Barnabas which means “Son of Encouragement”. He lived up to this name as we hear in the first reading, for when he arrived in Antioch and found a lively Christian community thriving there “…he rejoiced and encouraged them all”.
In the latter part of that same account from Acts the church prays over both St. Barnabas and St. Paul and sends them on what we now know was St. Paul’s first missionary journey. And what was their first stop; Cyprus, St. Barnabas’ home of origin.
As we recall the important role St. Barnabas played at the very beginning of our Church, we take away three lesions. First, we give thanks for God’s gift of St. Barnabas. With St. Paul they were the first ones who accepted the Lord’s instruction to take the Gospel to the whole world. As St. Matthew’s Gospel tells us, they were not always accepted, but challenged in their work. Yet they were courageous in the face of this opposition.
Next we see in St. Barnabas one who, like many of those singled out by God for special purposes, one like ourselves with no special outward mark that would have caused us to take note of him. Yet, he accepted the mission to which God called him and for which the Church ordained him. His example is one that should inspire us all.
Finally, we see in St. Barnabas the apostolate of encouragement. He spoke out for the faith fearlessly, yes. But he also encouraged those who faced challenges to the faith as his name implies. His encouragement of others is an important mission, one we may all accept as we encourage one another to live a more active faith.
Today we ask St. Barnabas to pray for us that we might accept the portion of that mission that was entrusted to him, and like him, be an encouragement to others.
Pax
[1] ALTRE – 359/580
[2] The picture is “Apostles Paul and Barnabas in Lystra” by Jacob Jordaens, 1645
[3] The readings are taken from the New American Bible with the exception of the Psalm and its response which were developed by the International Committee for English in Liturgy (ICEL). This re-publication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.
No comments:
Post a Comment