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Friday, June 12, 2015

JUNE 11 - St Barnabas, Apostle -- Mt 10:7-13 -- ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand - Intom u sejrin xandru u għidu lis-saltna tas-smewwiet waslet.'--- & --- Holy Mass Readings

On June 11th we celebrate the feast of St. Barnabas. The Church sees him as an apostle though he was not one of the twelve. We first hear about him in the Acts of the Apostles, where he is given the name Barnabas which means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4). And he lived up to his name. When Paul needed someone to support him after his conversion, it was St. Barnabas who supported Paul and had him received by the apostles.
St. Barnabas was also sent on a mission to investigate the new converts at Antioch. He persuaded St. Paul to go to Antioch and begin the missionary work with him; and there, in Antioch was where the followers of Christ were first called Christians (Acts 11).

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we need to live our faith like St. Barnabas to:

1) Be an encourager. To encourage one another in the faith, avoid being judgmental or gossiping about people and to build bridges, not barriers.

2) Study the faith. St. Barnabas encouraged the early Christians to remain faithful to the Lord. We need to practice our faith by celebrating the sacraments worthily. The Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation are God’s gracious gifts to the Church. Celebrating them will help us get closer to the Lord, while reading Sacred Scripture and the Catechism will help us remain faithful to Him and His teachings.

3) Witness to the gospel. St. Barnabas encountered hardships but he continued to persevere in spreading the gospel. The secular world of today needs the good news of Christ. We need to witness with boldness and love; and at all times, avoid being harsh. For this, we must always pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

4) Dialogue with others. Without undermining or compromising our Catholic beliefs, we need to dialogue with people of opposing views.

http://saltandlighttv.org/blog/saint-stories/st-barnabas-son-of-encouragement-and-model-of-discipleship-2

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Published on 11 Jun 2015 - St Barnabas, Apostle
Pope Francis: Christians cannot lead fulfilling lives without service

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JUNE 11 - ST BARNABAS, APOSTLE - HOLY MASS READINGS

First reading Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3

A great number believed and were converted to the Lord.

The church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord.

Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’

In the church at Antioch the following were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. One day while they were offering worship to the Lord and keeping a fast, the Holy Spirit said, ‘I want Barnabas and Saul set apart for the work to which I have called them.’ So it was that after fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Psalm	Psalm 97:1-6