What God has done

Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Readings: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3; Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6; Matthew 5:17-19

Summary

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 (Acts 11:22-26a).

Reflection

I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven (MT 5:20).

This verse above is just out of reach from today’s gospel teaching but it makes the concluding summation of the teaching on the Law, which is, right relation is based on an honest and faithful recapitulation of the law – therefore do not add nor subtract based on your personal likes and dislikes.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place (MT 5:17-18).

NABRE Commentary paraphrase – The life of Jesus is a transition of Old to New and ushers in a new heaven and earth at his resurrection thus describing the existing law as interim (“until”). Yet verse 20 and following start with things that are to be kept (permanent) and things to be discarded (no longer serves the divine purpose).

The transition evidenced in the Acts of the Apostles begins (pivots on) with the Conversion of Saul (chapter 9), the Vision of Cornelius/the Vision of Peter combined (chapter 10) and then the story of the Church at Antioch (chapter 11). The story of Barnabas and our memorial of him today, is about being attentive to the movement of God.

They sent Barnabas [to go] to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all (Acts 11:22b-23a).

Personal Reflection

When I travel I get to worship the Lord in many different places and in many different ways (core liturgical things remain the same). These small but important differences by culture or habit are most wonderful expressions of the Church in ‘that place’. But when we arrive do we marvel at what the Lord has done?

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power (PS 98:2b) from today’s responsorial. Continuing…

Come and see the works of the LORD, who has done fearsome deeds on earth (PS 46:9). Antioch was never the same again. 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 (Acts 11:25-26b).

Do we receive the Lord’s work as Barnabas did – with joy and a new set of tasks to perform? Do we inhibit or help the Lord make his salvation known? Do we support his aim both personal, local and worldwide?

Continuing Psalm 46…

Come and see the works of the LORD, who has done fearsome deeds on earth; Who stops wars to the ends of the earth, breaks the bow, splinters the spear, and burns the shields with fire; “Be still and know that I am God! (PS 46:9-11a).

A fellow blogger made a wonderful post on Love in Motion which is perfect for today’s gospel: http://my-all-about-you.com/2025/06/11/love-in-motion-expressing-faith-through-action/

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061125.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry