Wednesday, June 11, 2003

St. Barnabas, Apostle

1st Reading: Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3 (Listen to MP3 - The Curch of Antioch Acts 11:19-26
& Mission of Paul and Barnabas - Acts 13:1-12)
Gospel: Mt 10:7-13

Jesus said to his disciples, "Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. You received this as a gift, so give it as a gift. Do not carry any gold, silver or copper in your purses. Do not carry a traveler's bag, or an extra shirt, or sandals, or walking-stick: workers deserve their living.

"When you come to a town or a village, look for a worthy person and stay there until you leave.

"As you enter the house, wish it peace. If the people in the house deserve it, your peace will be on them; if they do not deserve it, your blessing will come back to you."

Commentary

The death and resurrection of Christ gave birth to a new order, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah, "Lo, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth." Until then, faithfulness to the law of Moses remained valid as a means of serving God. Now, we who live in the new heavens and the new earth please God in an entirely new way. The Holy Spirit is in our hearts, molding us into the image of Christ, the Son in whom the Father is well pleased. As St. Paul says, "God has sent into your hearts the Spirit of his Son which cries out: Abba! that is Father. You yourself are no longer a slave but a son or a daughter, and yours is the inheritance by God's grace" (Gal 4:6-7).

TOP