Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Proper readings for the Memorial of St. Barnabas
 
Additional Information about St. Barnabas
 
At the Vigil for the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

“Apostles Paul and Barnabas in Lystra”
by Jacob Jordaens, 1645

Readings for the Memorial of St. Barnabas [1]
 
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible [2]
 
Readings and Commentary: [3]
Note: The Gospel on this memorial is from the proper readings of weekday year II.
 
First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 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.
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Commentary on Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3
 
The increase 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 effect 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 for this purpose and strengthened themselves spiritually through prayer and fasting prior to their journey.
 
CCC: Acts 13:2 1070; Acts 13:3 699, 2632
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
 
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.
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Commentary on Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
 
Psalm 98 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. We see in this selection how God is praised for the strength he lends his people and the salvation he brings to those who are faithful. From our perspective, knowing that he sent us his Son for our salvation, we see clearly the reference to Jesus as God’s saving hand is extended.
 
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Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26
 
Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
 
“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother,
‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
 
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Commentary on Mt 5:20-26
 
This passage is the first of six examples in St. Matthew’s Gospel of conduct demanded of the Christian disciple. The first three, including this one, take a commandment of Mosaic law and deepen the meaning. Here the Lord takes the commandment, “You shall not kill” (quoted from Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17), to a new level. He traces the logic from thought, to vulgar or abusive words, to violent action. In this translation, the Greek word "Raqa" is used to indicate deep insult. Where the Jewish law forbids the action, Christian law forbids the antecedents as well. The passage continues with the remedy for this action, and a foundation for the sacrament of reconciliation. He instructs us to be reconciled with a person with whom we have bad feelings, before coming to the altar. The consequences of failing to do so, he warns, are judgment and punishment.
 
CCC: Mt 5:20 2054; Mt 5:21-22 2054, 2257; Mt 5:21 2262, 2302; Mt 5:22-39 2262; Mt 5:22 678, 1034, 2302; Mt 5:23-24 2608, 2792, 2841, 2845; Mt 5:24 1424
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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 as 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 lessons. First, we give thanks for God’s gift of St. Barnabas. He and St. Paul 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 were challenged in their work. Yet they were courageous in the face of this opposition.
 
 Next we see in St. Barnabas, 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
 

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[1] The picture is “Apostles Paul and Barnabas in Lystra” by Jacob Jordaens, 1645.
[2] S.S. Commemoratio 580/362
[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 republication is not authorized by USCCB and is for private use only.