WEDNESDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)
Mystery of the day: Glorious
Celebration: St. Barnabas, Apostle (Feast)
He was a Cypriot Jew. The Holy Spirit destined him to a universal mission. It was Barnabas who introduced to the other apostles, paving the way for the broad apostolate which required the approval of the pillars of the Church. He was with Paul in the first missionary journey and in the first Council of Jerusalem . After having converted many souls for Christ, Barnabas died a martyr to the faith he had preached at during Nero's reign. His name is included in the Roman Canon.
📖 Table of the Word
First Reading: Acts 11:21b–26; 13:1–3
Gospel: Matthew 10:7–13
Theme: Living the Spirit of Mission and Unity.
Reflection
Today we celebrate the feast of the martydom St. Barnabas. Obviously, Barnabas is often-underappreciated yet deeply influential figure in the early Church. His name means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36), and this captures the essence of his ministry: a bridge-builder, a generous soul, and a true missionary companion. We see in Acts 11, the encounter Barnabas had in Antioch, where he is sent by the Church in Jerusalem to assess a growing Gentile Christian community. Rather than being skeptical or judgmental, he rejoices in what God is doing. The Scripture tells us, “He was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith” (Acts 11:24). His openness and joy in the work of God inspire us to see beyond boundaries and celebrate the Spirit at work in all people.
Barnabas didn't just observe he acted. He sought out Saul (later Paul), believing in his conversion and potential when others were still wary (cf. Acts 9:27; 11:25-26). Barnabas’s encouragement launched Paul into a ministry that would change the world. He reminds us that sometimes the greatest saints are those who see the good in others and call it forth.
However, the Gospel reading drawn from the 10th chapter of Matthew fits well with Barnabas's life: “As you go, proclaim the good news: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” (Matthew 10:7). The call and mission which is visble in the ministry of St. Barnabas. Jesus’ instructions to travel lightly, to rely on peace and hospitality, mirror the missionary journeys of Barnabas and Paul (cf. Acts 13). They trusted in God’s providence and in the faithfulness of the communities they served.
Dear friends in Christ, as Christians we have been called by name, we have encountered Him who called at every point in time and lastly sent on mission to bear witness to the Truth which is Christ the Lord. Then who sincere are we in carrying out this missi9n entrusted toniur care? Is there any stumbling block that militate against our progress? Then let the joy of the Lord be our strength believing the words of the Psalmist: "The Lord has shown his deliverance to the nations" (cf. Psalm 98). + Peace be with you!
© ARCHIVE 11062025
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