Tenth Week of Ordinary Time
11th June 2024 (Tuesday)
Psalter: Week 2
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3
In those days: A great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas 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 great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong 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 after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 (R. 2b)
R/. The Lord has shown his deliverance to the nations.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord I am with you always, to the end of the age.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : Matthew 10:7-13
At that time: Jesus said to his apostles, “proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the labourer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Tuesday – Tenth Week of Ordinary Time
Guidelines: The kingdom of God is at hand. So we need to join our hands to promote it. It is not an option but an obligation. We are sent and are on a mission
1. Today we keep the memory of Saint Barnabas. He was so prominent in the early church in the spread of the faith, at times almost on par with the apostles. He is reported as a “good man, full of Holy Spirit and faith”, “set apart by the Holy Spirit” for specific missions, and who “rejoiced over the working of God’s grace and encouraged others to remain steadfast in the firmness of heart”.
2. Quite rightly, he receives the mission mandate of Jesus in the gospel and accomplishes it. He does not acquire gold, silver or copper. He carries no bag. Neither does he hold two tunics or sandals or staff. This implies that he is not attached to worldly possessions. He is not greedy and does not accumulate worldly things. He does not depend on them as a means of security and guarantee.
3. In season and out of season, he went on proclaiming the gospel of Christ. He was undaunted and undeterred even amidst all trials and persecutions. As in the case of the other Apostles, nothing could intimidate him or reduce his spirit and dedication.
4. Steered by the power of the risen Lord and the light of the Holy Spirit, he went on “healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing the lepers, and casting out demons”. Perhaps, special miracles by him may not be reported. But certainly, he was transmitting inner, spiritual healing; he was cleansing the hearts with repentance; driving out the evil forces and thus raising others to a new life of Christ, a renewed being in the mould of Christ.
5. This is the same portrait of any true disciple and apostle of Christ. We need to be personally close to the Lord and passionately love him. We need to be full of the Holy Spirit. We too should be docile to be set apart by the Holy Spirit for the mission of the Lord. We must be aglow with zeal and charity to encourage and strengthen others as well in the love and service of the Master.
Practice: The life of many has become very dishonest and inauthentic. The mission too has become cold and lethargic. The only reason is that the fire of love and loyalty for God and the flames of fraternity and charity are dwindling.
