Good News of Generous Care.

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle, challenge us to be open, in a world of abundance, to sharing the Good News, in fellowship with all the people encountered in our vineyard.

Abundance and Action

In the Reading from the Acts of the Apostles the Church at Antioch is recognized as “Christian”.

* [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.(Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [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 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 98 extolls God for Israel’s victory.

* [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 presents The Commissioning of the Twelve.

* [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.

* [10:13] The greeting of peace is conceived of not merely as a salutation but as an effective word. If it finds no worthy recipient, it will return to the speaker. (Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Michele Bogard comments Barnabas advocated for Paul post his conversion. His name means “son of encouragement” and he’s the patron Saint of Cyprus, Antioch, and peacekeeping missions. Forgive and forget.  It’s an easy enough phrase but so difficult to live.

I have worked hard in my life to forgive - one relationship in particular.  But forgetting?  That is something entirely different.  Trust broken is so hard to rebuild.  I can’t say that those two concepts go hand in hand for me easily. 

But isn’t that what Jesus is asking of us?  Forgiving without holding grudges/forgetting isn’t really forgiving. 

Today, if you pray the Examen, try to recount those relationships that you haven’t forgotten the wrongs.  Let us take stock of the grudges we have and ask St. Barnabas’s intercession to encourage our hearts to truly heal so that we can be fully in communion with God. (Bogard, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Taming the Tongue,” by Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD)

"What are we to do? Whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be liable to the hell of fire. But no human being can tame the tongue. Will everyone therefore go to the hell of fire? By no means. Lord, you have become our refuge from generation to generation (Psalm 90:1). Your wrath is just. You send no one to hell unjustly. Where shall I go from your spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence (Psalm 139:7), unless to you? Thus let us understand, my dearly beloved, that if no human being can tame the tongue, we must take refuge in God, who will tame it. Does your own human nature prevent you from taming your tongue? No human being can tame the tongue (James 3:8). Consider this analogy from the animals that we tame. A horse does not tame itself; a camel does not tame itself; an elephant does not tame itself; a snake does not tame itself; a lion does not tame itself. So too a man does not tame himself. In order to tame a horse, an ox, a camel, an elephant, a lion and a snake, a human being is required. Therefore God should be required in order for a human being to be tamed. (excerpt from Sermon 55:2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3 comments that today the Church honors Barnabas, not just as a great hero of the faith, but also as a model for us to follow. We can all become like Barnabas because every one of us who has been baptized has received the same Holy Spirit that he did. Like Barnabas, each of us can invite the Spirit to take our natural gifts and fill them with his grace and power.

It’s good to remind yourself every now and then that you are “filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.” Whether you are working, studying, or parenting, he is with you to increase your patience and your faithfulness to your calling. When you are in the midst of a difficult conversation with someone, he is with you to help you choose your words wisely and to give you his compassion and peace. The Spirit is always ready to fill you and empower you to share your gifts with everyone around you.

“Lord, help me to remain open to your Spirit today.” (Meditation on Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage from Acts 11 and Acts 13 speaks about Barnabas who was an evangelizer in Antioch. He and Saul, Hebrew Aramaic for Paul, go to Antioch where the “Christian” name is established among Gentile converts. Paul and Barnabas are set aside with laying on hands for missionary work. In the Sermon on the Mount, from the Gospel of Matthew, righteousness as understood by the Pharisee as following the Laws to the letter and therefore taken to the widest scrupulous interpretation is replaced by Jesus with the spirit to extend the Law to any form of hurting. We are called to reconcile before going to the altar. Friar Jude notes that the handshake of peace before the Eucharist is intended to become a sign of reconciliation for those participating in the Eucharist as brothers and sisters.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Cynthia Bourgeault who explores the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. The bottom line is that everybody has enough. The ones that came in early thought the usual daily wage was fair. That’s taken care of. The real fruit being generated, just like grapes turn into wine, was the work together. In these circumstances, it’s fermented and transformed into some fragrance of human interactivity and abundance that doesn’t exist otherwise.

Reading this parable against the backdrop of a relational field rather than individual competition, entirely different elements jump out. Without that relational field, you simply can’t see where Jesus is going. Trying to understand it with your mind, you’ll never get it because your mind will keep coming back to “more and less” and “it’s not fair.” It’s not until you begin from the fullness of love, and the order and coherence that arise from it, that you can recognize what’s being said and how radical it is.

We get the invitation to go into the vineyard, but it’s only in stepping up, saying yes, and trusting the relational field that we’re going to actually be participants in the kingdom of God. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to guide our pursuit of a relationship with Christ that avoids scrupulous attention to particular faults and rules and presents our extension of Love, Compassion, and Hope to all the people we encounter.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/11? 

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved June 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13 

Bogard, M. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved June 11, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-11-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10 

Meditation on Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 11, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/11/1589802/ 

Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Laborers in the Vineyard. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 11, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-laborers-in-the-vineyard/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Be Reconciled to Your Brother. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 11, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/ 

Community in the Storm

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to step out amid the storms of violence and hatred on our journey and witness to the love and support of Christ for people in peril.

Christ in the Curves

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents growth in the Church at Antioch.

* [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. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 87 is a song of Zion.

* [Psalm 87] A song of Zion, like Ps 46; 48; 76; 132.

* [87:2] The gates: the city itself, a common Hebrew idiom.

* [87:5–6] The bond between the exile and the holy city was so strong as to override the exile’s citizenship of lesser cities. (Psalms, PSALM 87 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus proclaims His relationship to the Father at the Feast of the Dedication.

* [10:22] Feast of the Dedication: an eight-day festival of lights (Hebrew, Hanukkah) held in December, three months after the feast of Tabernacles (Jn 7:2), to celebrate the Maccabees’ rededication of the altar and reconsecration of the temple in 164 B.C., after their desecration by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Dn 8:13; 9:27; cf. 1 Mc 4:36–59; 2 Mc 1:18–2:19; 10:1–8).

* [10:23] Portico of Solomon: on the east side of the temple area, offering protection against the cold winds from the desert.

* [10:24] Keep us in suspense: literally, “How long will you take away our life?” Cf. Jn 11:48–50. If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly: cf. Lk 22:67. This is the climax of Jesus’ encounters with the Jewish authorities. There has never yet been an open confession before them.

* [10:25] I told you: probably at Jn 8:25 which was an evasive answer.

* [10:29] The textual evidence for the first clause is very divided; it may also be translated: “As for the Father, what he has given me is greater than all,” or “My Father is greater than all, in what he has given me.”

* [10:30] This is justification for Jn 10:29; it asserts unity of power and reveals that the words and deeds of Jesus are the words and deeds of God. (John, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Becky Nickerson celebrates that they welcomed our first grandchild, Jackson, to the world. It didn’t take long, and Jackson knew their voices. And they, in return, listened to his every sound and movement and knew him as well.

The Lord’s voice is steady and leading us. Do we always listen to it? Nope. Sometimes we may flat-out ignore it. Yet when the world gets “noisy,” or we are impatient and waiting for God to answer, we sometimes need to listen closer. God’s voice is there. And we know God’s voice. 

In my several years of research on the topic of belonging, I have learned that belonging is an active term. It requires active engagement, trust, vulnerability, and intentionality. Belonging, while personally and individually determined, often encompasses being seen (for all aspects of who we are), heard, and affirmed. It involves feeling connected, valued, and known. 

In the embrace of the Lord, we have a place of belonging. That too is active. “No one can take them out of my hand.” God knows each of us by name. We belong with and to God. Today, amidst the “noise” of your day, I invite you to listen closely and intentionally, resting in the assurance that you are known, you belong, and you are loved. (Nickerson, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The Great might of Christ's hand,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.

"The faithful also have the help of Christ, and the devil is not able to snatch them. Those who have an endless enjoyment of good things remain in Christ's hand, no one thereafter snatching them away from the bliss that is given to them. [No one can throw them] into punishment or torments. For it is not possible that those who are in Christ's hand should be snatched away to be punished because of the great might Christ has. For 'the hand' in the divine Scripture signifies 'the power'" It cannot be doubted therefore that the hand of Christ is unconquerable and mighty to all things." (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 11:19-26 comments on an adage that says, “God writes straight with crooked lines.” But what can you do when all that you can see is the bend in the road?

Start by reminding yourself as you face that curve: God always has a plan in mind. Hold fast to what you know, despite what you can’t see. Those early believers, though hounded out of Jerusalem, continued to proclaim the good news. In the same way, you can continue to love and serve the Lord, wherever you are, whatever has happened. Cling to the truths you know, even as you wait for God to show you the next steps he has planned for you. As you pray, listen for the Lord’s gentle encouragement. He will help you negotiate all of life’s curves.

“Lord, I can’t see where you’re leading me, but I trust that you will work out your good plan for my life.” (Meditation on Acts 11:19-26, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Acts, God has the message spread even to Antioch where Gentiles are converting. Barnabas and Paul go to Antioch. Now in Antioch they take the name “Christian” as they follow the Messiah, Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is at the feast of Dedication and He continues to speak about how the sheep will hear His voice. In John, the Father has sent Jesus into the world and He offers an eternal life that will never perish. Friar Jude proclaims that Life in Christ offers so much love that even if we die, we will continue.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, responds to a sermon, in which the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry considers how Jesus sustains us in the storms of life.

When it was darkest, when it was most uncertain, Peter … saw a figure coming toward them…. It was Jesus. He was walking on the water. And Peter, without even thinking, says, “Lord, if you bid me come to you, I’ll come to you!” And Jesus says, “Well come on, brother.” Peter jumps out of the boat and starts walking on the water, heading toward Jesus, and he actually did it. He just saw him, he said, “Lord!” He kept walking. “Lord! It’s you!” Reverend Curry offers an African American spiritual, pointing to the faith of people in crisis:

Then, he looked around, and it was a serious “uh-oh” moment. And the text says … that when Peter looked at the wind and the waves and saw the storm around him and lost his focus on Jesus and focused on the storm, that is when he began to sink.

Remember the song …

I got my hand on the Gospel plow
Wouldn’t take nothin’ for my journey now
Keep your eyes on the prize
Hold on, hold on
Keep your eyes on the prize
Hold on

Oh, I bet that there’s some wisdom here, because in Matthew’s version, I want you to notice that the storm doesn’t stop. This is not a story about Jesus calming the sea. The storm rages on. But if you want to know how to walk through a storm? Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep your eyes focused on this Jesus, on his teachings, on his spirit. Abide with him, dwell with him, live in him. And when you live in him, guess what? He will start living in you….

That’s how Peter walks on water. To throw yourself into the arms of Jesus … and hold on. (Rohr, n.d.)

We may find ourselves in a struggle with the storms of life and we implore the Spirit to remind us that we are not alone and if we Stop, Take a breath, Observe, and Proceed with the support of Christ, all will be well.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/11? 

John, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/10?22 

Meditation on Acts 11:19-26. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/28/1551908/ 

Nickerson, B. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-28-2026 

Psalms, PSALM 87 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/87?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Keep Your Eyes on the Prize. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/keep-your-eyes-on-the-prize/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). My Sheep Hear My Voice. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Working Through Persecution

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to work as Christians even as we encounter persecution on our Way.

Working in the Vineyard

The Reading  from the Prophet Malachi declares the Need to Serve God [CCCB Malachi 4.1-2 (USCCB Malachi 3:19-20a)]

* [3:20] Wings: a common symbol of the manifestation of a god in the ancient Near East is the winged sun disk found, for example, on premonarchic jar handles. Cf. Nm 6:25; Ps 4:7; 31:17; 34:6; 84:12. (Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 98 extolls welcome for God’s coming to rule over 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 Reading from the Letter to the Thessalonians addresses Neglect of Work.

* [3:1–18] The final chapter urges the Thessalonians to pray for Paul and his colleagues (2 Thes 3:1–2) and reiterates confidence in the Thessalonians (2 Thes 3:3–5), while admonishing them about a specific problem in their community that has grown out of the intense eschatological speculation, namely, not to work but to become instead disorderly busybodies (2 Thes 3:6–15). A benediction (2 Thes 3:16) and postscript in Paul’s own hand round out the letter. On 2 Thes 3:17–18, cf. note on 2 Thes 2:2. (2 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, the Destruction of the Temple is Foretold as Signs of the End and the Coming Persecution.

* [21:5–36] Jesus’ eschatological discourse in Luke is inspired by Mk 13 but Luke has made some significant alterations to the words of Jesus found there. Luke maintains, though in a modified form, the belief in the early expectation of the end of the age (see Lk 21:27, 28, 31, 32, 36), but, by focusing attention throughout the gospel on the importance of the day-to-day following of Jesus and by reinterpreting the meaning of some of the signs of the end from Mk 13 he has come to terms with what seemed to the early Christian community to be a delay of the parousia. Mark, for example, described the desecration of the Jerusalem temple by the Romans (Mk 13:14) as the apocalyptic symbol (see Dn 9:27; 12:11) accompanying the end of the age and the coming of the Son of Man. Luke (Lk 21:20–24), however, removes the apocalyptic setting and separates the historical destruction of Jerusalem from the signs of the coming of the Son of Man by a period that he refers to as “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk 21:24). See also notes on Mt 24:1–36 and Mk 13:1–37.

* [21:8] The time has come: in Luke, the proclamation of the imminent end of the age has itself become a false teaching.

* [21:12] Before all this happens…: to Luke and his community, some of the signs of the end just described (Lk 21:10–11) still lie in the future. Now in dealing with the persecution of the disciples (Lk 21:12–19) and the destruction of Jerusalem (Lk 21:20–24) Luke is pointing to eschatological signs that have already been fulfilled.

* [21:15] A wisdom in speaking: literally, “a mouth and wisdom.” (Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. George Meze, SJ, reflects that persecution is difficult to reconcile with, especially when one is persecuted for good deeds. How can God allow good people to suffer?

The call of discipleship for each Christian is also a call to share in the mystery of suffering so that we may both give and receive the joy of Christ. At times, we are called to carry the cross of our neighbors, just as Jesus did for us.

We surrender to our Lord’s words, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” (Meze, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “First signs of the end times,” by Maximus of Turin (died between 408-423 AD).

"Perhaps you are anxious, brothers and sisters, at the fact that we hear constantly of the tumult of wars and the onsets of battles. Perhaps your love is still more anxious since these are taking place in our times. The reason is the closer we are to the destruction of the world, the closer we are to the kingdom of the Savior. The Lord himself says, 'In the last days nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. When you see wars, earthquakes and famines, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.'This nearness of wars shows us that Christ is near." (excerpt from SERMON 85.1) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 21:5-19 comments that Jesus’ words make sense, both then and now, only if we look beyond this life to the next. He is promising that we will “secure” our lives for heaven if we persevere through hardship and struggle and trust in his grace no matter what comes (Luke 21:19). Then, when our life here on earth ends, we can look forward to the promise of living forever with our Lord. (Meditation on Luke 21:5-19, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler explains that in Malachi apocalyptic judgement is presented as we approach the end of the Church year. We need to follow the example of the Apostles . We should follow virtue and be virtuous to  show our faith. The Thessalonians who thought the end near are reminded to do an honest day's work. Luke, writing after 70 AD, seems to offer a description of the actual destruction of Jerusalem. Friar Jude refers to 2nd century persecutions that remind us of the price to pay for being a Christian is not always easy in our everyday life.

Fr. Mike Schmitz briefly expands on the story of the poor widow’s offering, emphasizing that the Lord cares more about the size of our hearts than about the size of our gifts. Fr. Mike also underscores Jesus’ moving words to Peter when he foretells Peter’s denial. Jesus’ words remind us that no matter how fiercely the enemy tries to attack us, he is always praying for each and every one of us. Today's readings are Luke 20-22:38 and Proverbs 26:17-19.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, considers how Jesus challenges the worldviews constructed by our religions, cultures, and family upbringings. Our operative worldview is formed by three images that are inside every one of us. They are not something from outside; they have already taken shape within us. All we can do is become aware of them, which is to awaken them.

The three images to be awakened and transformed are our image of self, our image of God, and our image of the world. A true hearing of the gospel transforms those images into a very exciting and, I believe, truthful worldview. When we say Christ is the truth, that’s what we mean. Christ renames reality correctly, according to what reality honestly is, putting aside whatever we think it is or whatever we fear it is. Reality is always better than any of us imagined or feared; there is joy associated with a true hearing of the gospel. 

All together, we could put it this way: “What should life be?” “Why isn’t it?” “How do we repair it?” When these are answered for us, at least implicitly, we have our game plan, and we can live with safety and purpose in this world. (Rohr, n.d.)

We contemplate how our relationship with ourselves, God, and the world is evidence in action of mission as “workers in the vineyard” of Christ.

References

Luke, CHAPTER 21 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/21?5 

Malachi, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/malachi/3?19 

Meditation on Luke 21:5-19. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/11/16/1430450/ 

Meze, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-november-16-2025 

Psalms, PSALM 98 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/98?5 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Our Operative Worldview. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/our-operative-worldview/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Take Heed That You Are Not Led Astray. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 16, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2thessalonians/3?7