The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to accept the commission that we have been given as followers of Christ to live as witnesses to truth, goodness, and love.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles Barnabas and Saul are Commissioned.
* [11:19–26] The Jewish Christian antipathy to the mixed community was reflected by the early missionaries generally. The few among them who entertained a different view succeeded in introducing Gentiles into the community at Antioch (in Syria). When the disconcerted Jerusalem community sent Barnabas to investigate, he was so favorably impressed by what he observed that he persuaded his friend Saul to participate in the Antioch mission.
* [11:26] Christians: “Christians” is first applied to the members of the community at Antioch because the Gentile members of the community enable it to stand out clearly from Judaism.
* [13:1–3] The impulse for the first missionary effort in Asia Minor is ascribed to the prophets of the Antiochene community, under the inspiration of the holy Spirit. Just as the Jerusalem community had earlier been the center of missionary activity, so too Antioch becomes the center from which the missionaries Barnabas and Saul are sent out. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11 and 13 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 98 praises the Judge of the World.
* [Psalm 98] A hymn, similar to Ps 96, extolling God for Israel’s victory (Ps 98:1–3). All nations (Ps 98:4–6) and even inanimate nature (Ps 98:7–8) are summoned to welcome God’s coming to rule over the world (Ps 98:9) (Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew describes the Commissioning of the Twelve to proclaim the good news .(Readings for the Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle)
* [10:8–11] The Twelve have received their own call and mission through God’s gift, and the benefits they confer are likewise to be given freely. They are not to take with them money, provisions, or unnecessary clothing; their lodging and food will be provided by those who receive them. (Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew describes Salt and Light as a metaphor.
* [5:13–16] By their deeds the disciples are to influence the world for good. They can no more escape notice than a city set on a mountain. If they fail in good works, they are as useless as flavorless salt or as a lamp whose light is concealed.
* [5:13] The unusual supposition of salt losing its flavor has led some to suppose that the saying refers to the salt of the Dead Sea that, because chemically impure, could lose its taste. (Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Eileen Burke-Sullivan comments that Barnabas’ sign of the Spirit was his goodness and his deep faith, that he is able to put into words effectively. That was Barnabas’ light that shines from the lamp stand of the faith community.
What is the Sign of the Spirit in each of us? Whatever gifts we have that bring others life and light and that we claim in gratitude to God are such signs. When we take credit for them ourselves, we extinguish the light and become salt without taste.
Today is a good day to consider the gift of goodness, of kindness perhaps, or fidelity. All movements of God’s love toward the human family. When the light of the Spirit shines, the darkness is dispelled.
“All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.” Ps 98 (Burke-Sullivan, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “The Light of Truth,” by Chromatius (died 406 AD)
The Lord has already called his disciples the "salt of the earth" because they seasoned with divine wisdom the hearts of the human race which had been made tasteless by the devil. Now he also calls them the "light of the world." For, illumined by his very own self who is the true and eternal light, they too become light within the darkness. For since he himself is the sun of righteousness, he rightly also calls his disciples "light of the world." Through them, as if through shining rays, he poured the light of his knowledge on the entire world. For by showing the light of truth, the Lord's disciples made the darkness of error flee from people's hearts. (excerpt from TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 19.1.1-2)
[Note: Chromatius was an early Christian scholar and bishop of Aquileia, Italy. He was a close friend of John Chrysostom and Jerome. He died in 406 AD. Jerome described him as a "most learned and most holy man."] (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3 comments that by virtue of our Baptism, God has “set apart” each and every one of us to contribute to the building up of his kingdom.
But Barnabas would tell you that you can’t do this kind of work by yourself. You need the Holy Spirit, not only to equip you with talents and gifts, but to give you a burning desire to see that kingdom flourish in your midst.
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with a passion to do the work to which he has called you (Acts 13:2). If you’re not sure what that work is, keep asking God to show you. If you’ve been doing God’s work but are feeling worn out or discouraged, ask the Spirit to inflame your heart with renewed determination and hope. Then trust that he will do it!
“St. Barnabas, pray for me to be a passionate disciple, just as you were.” (Meditation on Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the partnership of Paul and Barnabas and the growth of the “Christian” community in Antioch. The wisdom sayings in the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount urge zest and enthusiasm for the followers of Christ. Friar Jude reminds us to check our motivation about giving witness or seeking self aggrandizement.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, names the sacred nature of our sexuality. The real revolution is the discovery of the human capacity for friendship that leads people to a spiritual wholeness, to the inner union with the divine, with the self, and with everything so we are not so needy in our primary relationship. Contemplative author Christine Valters Paintner affirms our erotic desire as a longing for connection and wholeness.
Sexuality is what draws us beyond our own boundaries into the service, intimacy, and vulnerability of human relationships. Our deepest desires thrust us into these places of tenderness that come with meaningful human connection. Our deep desires of the heart are about bringing our gifts into the world to make a difference. We are called to move beyond the sphere of self-concern into a dance of mutuality with others where we are invited to believe that our existence makes a difference in the human-animal-nature community.…
When our desire and compulsions are healed and integrated, they become the source for tremendous energy for good in the world and our ability to be a healing presence to others. (Rohr, n.d.)
We invoke the Holy Spirit to assist in our discovery of how we are commissioned to be workers in the vineyard of Christ.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/11?21
Burke-Sullivan, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/061124.html
Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10
Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5
Meditation on Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/06/11/994250/
Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Spiritual Wholeness. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-spiritual-wholeness/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=jun11
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