A Man Filled With The Holy Spirit
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. Amen!
1 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.
Responsorial PSALM 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6
R. (cf. 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 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.
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.
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.
Alleluia MATTHEW 5:12A
Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MATTHEW 5:33-37
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the Evil One.”
Commentary
Potential Epitaph
What greater complement can one receive on this side of life than what the Book of Acts says of Barnabas: “He was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith!” The Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul to bring the Good News to the gentiles. The very name ‘Barnabas’ meant “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation.” What else is the Good News other than the announcement of God’s consolation and encouragement, the Gospel of our adoption and redemption? It is all about healing the sicknesses of our souls bringing us back to a life of hope, cleansing us from all that make us impure, and driving out our internal demons of fear, hatred, and violence. Barnabas did justice to the Gospel mandate by his very name and ministry. Will the Lukan description of Barnabas be a fitting epitaph for you, when you have run your race on this side of life?
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. Amen!
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. Amen!
Blessing
A few days ago, Paul told us that Jesus was always “Yes,” yes to the Father’s will, yes and affirming to people, reliable. May we too, be trustworthy and reliable, in our faith, our friendship, our given word, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!