June 11, 2014

Barnabas

June 11, 2014:  St. Barnabas, Apostle

Readings

 Wordle: Readings 6-11-14
  • Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3  When Barnabas arrived at Antioch, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful, and many were added to the Lord.  He brought Saul from Tarsus; they met and taught for a year.  The Spirit said, “Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I've called them.”  The prophets and teachers laid hands on them and sent them off.
  • Ps 98:1-6  "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power."  Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds...
  • Mt 5:17-19  “I've come to fulfill, not abolish, the law and the prophets.  Nothing will pass from the law till all things have taken place.  But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom.”
Pope Francis
  • Audience on Holy Spirit's gift of fear of the Lord:  It's the grateful response of people loved by God, and also an alarm awakening us to our sin and reminding us we'll be held accountable.  If I blaspheme, exploit, tyrannize, or live for money, vanity, power, or pride, it alerts us:  "Be wary!  You won't be happy; you'll end badly."  We can't take money or power to the other side, only love and what we've done for others.  May the fear of God, with the other gifts of the Spirit, renew us in faith and remind us that in God alone is our ultimate happiness, freedom and fulfilment.
    Music
    Reflections
      • Creighton:  St. Barnabas ("son of encouragement") rejoiced and encouraged the Antioch community as soon as he arrived, then encouraged Saul to help him.  (Synopsis with scriptural references)  Let's find those who need encouragement today.
      • One Bread One Body:  Barnabas's first mission was to his homeland; our mission starts where we are (e.g., family, workplace) and goes outward.
        • DailyScripture.net:  God's law is true and just because it flows from his goodness and love; it's a law of grace, love, and freedom.  The Holy Spirit writes God's law on our hearts.
        • Passionist:  Consider Yodh (Yud), the "smallest letter" of the Hebrew alphabet, with its top spur, "the smallest part of a letter" (Mt 5:18).  God gave Yodh the honor of being the first letter of the Divine Name.  God changed Ya'akov/Jacob's name to Yisrael, keeping only the Yodh.  God chose Israel because they're the smallest.  Not the smallest letter or even its spur will disappear from the Word.  God won't forget the poor.  God uses the small to demonstrate his power; we'll find fulfillment in Jesus.
          Tetragrammaton (YHWH), starting with Yodh
          (remember Hebrew is right-to-left)
        • Universalis:  St. Barnabas, apostle, missionary, probably martyr too
        Apparel
        • "Hearts" suspenders:  Barnabas encouraged them to remain faithful in firmness of heart (1st reading)
        • "Dove" pin:  Barnabas was filled with the Holy Spirit (1st reading)
        • "Abacus" tie pin:  a large number of people was added to the Lord....  They taught a large number of people.  (1st reading)
        • "Phone" tie bar:  In Antioch the disciples were first 'called' Christians (1st reading)
        • "Hand" tie pin:  They laid hands on Barnabas and Saul (1st reading)
        • "Earth" tie:  "All the ends of the earth have seen God's salvation" (psalm)
        • "Musical note" tie pin:  Sing praise with the harp, song, trumpets, and horn (psalm)
        • "J" tie bar (10th letter, like י):  "not the smallest letter will pass from the law..."; Jesus is fulfillment of Law and Prophets (gospel)
        • Red in tie and suspenders:  color of the day (feast of an apostle)
        • Green in shirt:  Ordinary Time (season)
        Dress your life!
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