Memory of the apostles
Memorial of the apostle Barnabas, companion of Paul in Antioch and on his first apostolic journey.
Today the Jews celebrate Shavuoth (Pentecost).
Reading of the Word of God
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
If we die with him, we shall live with him,
if with him we endure, with him we shall reign.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Acts 11,21-26
The Lord helped them, and a great number believed and were converted to the Lord. The news of them came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas out to Antioch. There he was glad to see for himself that God had given grace, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord. Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. And it happened that they stayed together in that church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called 'Christians'.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
If we die with him, we shall live with him,
if with him we endure, with him we shall reign.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
Today the Church remembers Barnabas. A native of Cyprus, he lived in Jerusalem where he embraced the Gospel, becoming a model disciple: he had sold all his possessions and placed the proceeds at the feet of the apostles. They sent Barnabas to Antioch, where the Gospel was preached not only to Jews, but also to pagans: for the first time, the community of the disciples was composed not only of believers of Jewish origin. It was in this city that Jesus' disciples were for the first time called "Christians." On learning of Paul's conversion, Barnabas invited him to Antioch to give witness before everyone his transforming encounter with Jesus. And Barnabas also brought Paul to Jerusalem to present him to the other apostles and to have him defend the preaching of the Gospel to pagans, without having them submit to circumcision. Together with Paul, Barnabas undertakes the first great apostolic journey. He took with them also his nephew, John Mark, a young witness of the Lord's passion. The task to communicate the Gospel in the Church does not arise out of human planning or the desire for expansion. It is the Spirit of the Lord that impels the disciples of every time to travel the pathways of the world and of human hearts to communicate the Gospel of love.