1st Reading Acts 11: 21b-26; 13:1-3
Psalm 98:1.2-3ab. 3cd-4.5-6 (R. 2b)
Gospel Matthew 10:7-13
The Missions of Finding and Mercy
Dear friends, today we reflect on the man, St. Barnabas as per his memorial which we celebrate today. As a native of Cyprus, an island on the Mediterranean Sea, he is known to have converted to Christianity shortly after Pentecost (ca. A.D. 29 or 30) and immediately sold his property and devoted the proceeds to the Church (cf. Acts 4: 36-37). He is styled as an Apostle in Holy Scripture, and, like St. Paul, ranked by the Church with the Twelve, though not one of them. Barnabas means “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation”.
The first reading of today takes the setting of the Church in Antioch. This was the first community established outside Palestine as a “result of the dispersion by the persecution (by Saul) that arose after Stephen's death” (cf. Acts 11: 19; 8: 1-3).
The first reading speaks about the introduction of Saul to the Christian community in Antioch and the commencement of his first missionary journey together with Barnabas (cf. Acts 13-14).
Barnabas, probably thinking of the usefulness of Paul (also known as Saul) in the mission to the Gentiles, probably, because of his proper grasp of the Greek language, set out to look for him and when he was found he was introduced to the community in Antioch.
Being found is very interesting in our case. the original text translates it as being looked for, being discovered (as in a treasure). This kind of finding is similar to Jesus' parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin (cf. Luke 15: 3-7; 8-10, respectively).
The Father goes in search for us even when we think we are of no use to missionary work. The Lord calls the weak, and perfects them, “sets them apart” (cf. Acts. 13: 2) so as to engage in the 'business' of finding. Mission is a search for, looking for and discovering. We are treasures, very valuable. The Lord demands our participation in his salvific act.
By Baptism, and perfected by Confirmation, we have been 'set apart' (consecrated, made holy, empowered) to assist in search for 'lost coins and lost sheep. In fact, the word 'found' as seen in Jesus' parables of the lost sheep and lost coin and in the finding of Saul is 'εύρον' (heuron). The same word in both cases.
The Gospel, in the same missionary spirit, sees Jesus' command to his apostles to “preach” (κηρυσσετε -kērussete). They are to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and cast out demon” (v. 8). They are also to give 'without fee' (δωρεαν- dōrean). These acts are to be done in charity. These brings to mind the works of mercy.
Pope John Paul II, in Dives in misericordia a papal encyclical, declared that "Jesus Christ taught that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but that he is also called 'to practice mercy' towards others.”
St. Barnabas, pray for us.
#Pax Et Bonum
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