Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Memorial
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: II
Introduction
St. Paul owed very much to this missionary, for Barnabas involved Paul in his work among the Christians of Antioch, who were of pagan origin. Acts called Barnabas “a prophet and teacher” and “a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith.” He was an open spirit, convinced that if one had faith, it was enough to let one become eligible to be a Christian. Inspired by the Spirit, the leaders of the community of Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas on their missionary mission.
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.
First Reading
The hand of the Lord was with them, so many believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the clear signs of God’s favor, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithfully committed to the Lord;
for he himself was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. As a result, large crowds came to know the Lord.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul;
and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year, they gathered with the church and taught many people.
It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
At that time, some prophets went from Jerusalem to Antioch;
and one named Agabus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, predicted that a severe famine would affect the entire world. This indeed happened during the reign of Emperor Claudius.
So, the disciples resolved, within their ability, to set aside some resources and send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea.
They did this by sending their donations to the elders through Barnabas and Saul.
Responsorial Psalm
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 Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;
I am with you always, until the end of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Do not carry any gold, silver, or money in your purses.
Do not bring a travel bag, an extra shirt, sandals, or a walking stick: workers deserve compensation.
When you arrive in a town or village, seek out a worthy person, and remain there until you leave.
When you enter the house, wish it peace.
If the people are worthy, your peace will rest on them; if they are not, your blessing will come back to you.
Prayers of the Faithful
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord God,
let the eucharist of Jesus
bring the light and life of your Son and his zeal
to our communities everywhere
to make them missionary
by the way they live
and to make Christ visible to people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God of all people,
at the celebration of St. Barnabas we pray:
Make all your missionaries
people of the Holy Spirit and of deep faith,
that they may speak to the people you send them
the words of life and joy of the good news
and cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse those unclean and cast out evil.
May they do so generously, without charge,
for they have received from you without charge
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
REFLECTIONS
Today we celebrate St. Barnabas, the Apostle known as the “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36).
Barnabas was not one of the original Twelve, yet the early Church recognised in him the heart of a true apostle. Why? Because he lived in close proximity, he accompanied others in humility, and he brought the joy of the Gospel wherever he went. He obeyed and taught not only with words, but with his life.
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Matthew 10:7-13
Serve and give freely that which you have received freely.
Today the Church celebrates the memorial of Apostle Barnabas. We learn from the Acts of the Apostles that Barnabas was from Cyprus and his original name was Joseph. He sold his property and surrendered it to the community. The Apostles renamed him as Barnabas. He accompanied St. Paul in the missionary journeys.
The readings for the Memorial of St Barnabas demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is the “protagonist” of the Gospel proclamation. The Gospel has the power to change hearts, because it is the Holy Spirit who is at work. The Gospel invites us to give freely that which we have received freely. What do we have that is not freely given to us? Our very life and everything else in this life are all freely given to us. And Jesus calls us to serve and love our brothers and sisters in the same way that God has done with us.
Christians cannot remain lazy. Jesus has already given us our mission: "As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons." The Mission of Christ impels us to hit the road, always.
Christian life is a vocation to serve. "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give," is the invitation of Jesus. All God’s gifts, are given without cost. We should not bargain with God. Pope Francis explains this passage and says, “Often when we need some spiritual grace, we say: ‘Well, now I will fast, do penance, pray a novena…’ Fine, but be careful: this is not done to ‘pay’ or ‘buy’ a special grace. Grace is freely given.”
Sacraments and prayers cannot be bought, says the pope. He says, “It pains the heart when we see pastors who look for money for giving God’s grace and tell the people: ‘I can help you, but it will cost this much…’ Let us Christians, and especially pastors and bishops, give freely and not try to sell God’s graces.”
Sometimes our hearts remain closed, and it is no longer able to receive such freely given love of God. We always run the risk of doing our spiritual exercises – prayers, fasting, and acts of charity as a payment for some reward or blessing that we expect from God, as if we needed to bribe the Lord. Certainly not! On the other hand, our prayers and spiritual exercises and acts of charity are in order to expand our hearts to receive the graces that the Lord is giving us free of charge.
All the blessings that we need are given to us freely, and all that Jesus asks of us is to show the same generosity to the brethren in need. Serve and give freely that which you have received freely.
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Points to Ponder
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The Encouragement of Barnabas: How can I, like St. Barnabas, be a "Son or Daughter of Encouragement" today by initiating reconciliation where there is strife?
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The Cost of Discipleship: Am I willing to set aside my "right" to be angry in order to follow the higher law of love?
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Interior Righteousness: Is my faith focused on external rules, or am I allowing the Spirit to transform my heart from within?
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Prayer Lord, through the intercession of St. Barnabas, grant us a heart that seeks reconciliation above all else. Help us to live out the "greater righteousness" of Your Kingdom, treating every neighbour with the dignity and love that flows from Your own heart. Amen.