Reading 1
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.
98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
Responsorial Psalm 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.
Gospel
Jn 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”
It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
Meditation: Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3
St. Barnabas
He was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. (Acts 11:24)
If you want to be countercultural, name your newborn son Barnabas. In the United States, at least, where the Social Security Administration keeps track of such things, “Barnabas” does not appear in even the top thousand boys’ names for any year in the past century. That’s too bad, because St. Barnabas was a hero of the early church who deserves to be remembered and imitated.
His name indicates what the man was like: Barnabas—“son of encouragement” is how Luke translates it—was a nickname given him by the apostles (Acts 4:36). And certainly, this missionary, prophet, and teacher was outstanding for the generous way he used his gifts to encourage people. He gave his money to the Jerusalem community (4:37). He gave Saul his friendship and trust, vouching for him when everyone else was shunning the new convert (9:26-27). He saw John Mark’s potential and gave him a second chance, despite the young disciple’s failure to complete his first missionary journey (13:13; 15:36-39).
Encouraging, comforting, strengthening God’s people—these are actions of the Holy Spirit, and indeed, Barnabas was the Spirit’s envoy wherever he went. In Antioch, where today’s reading is set, the Spirit gives Barnabas discernment about the situation he has been sent to investigate. We can imagine his report to the elders in Jerusalem: Rejoice! God is working among these Gentiles! Moved by the Spirit, Barnabas stays to encourage the new Christians, searching out Saul as his assistant. And when the two are chosen and “sent forth” by the Spirit, Barnabas travels off to exercise his ministry of encouragement in Cyprus and beyond.
On this eve of Pentecost, Barnabas invites each of us to consider our own relationship with the Holy Spirit. “Do I know him and listen for his guidance? Am I letting him transform me into Christ’s image? Am I using the gifts he’s given me for the good of others?”
If you can’t answer each question with a wholehearted yes, don’t give up! As that great encourager, St. Barnabas, would tell you: God wants to fill you with his Spirit. Go ahead and ask!
“Come, Holy Spirit! Melt me, mold me, fill me, and use me for the good of your people.”
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