Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Title

He Was A Good Man

Outline

I had a professor in seminary that we called “The Good Dr. Liefeld”

Why did we spontaneously call him “good”?

First, he was pleasant to be around, always interested in you

Second, he was not strongly reactive, but sought to calm down situations - I saw this in pastoral situations

Third, he was always seeking one’s good, even when you could not see

In other words, his speech was simply good, for he was full of the Holy Spirit and faith

[[Jesus tells us to live like that

You see it in the Old Testament and it was clearly in the New that persuade others that one was speaking the truth or promising in good faith one took an oath - but that meant two things

First, that one might not be telling the truth when one was not confirming it with an oath. “I tell you that I hate to part with this car, for it runs like a top and has been my faithful companion for years.” That might cover up the fact that he is selling it because he strongly suspects it is about to have a major breakdown. So we have warranties and notarized signatures and new home inspections and, of course, oaths in court and before Congress.

Second, it meant that one might swear an oath that was itself deceptive - one might piously not swear by God himself so as ostensibly not to use his name, but by heaven so as to seem to be swearing by God but actually swearing a non-binding oath. Ever read the small print on warranties? Ever watched lawyers try to discover what sworn testimony actually says?

Jesus says, have only one type of speech, not equivocal speech, but true speech, non-deceptive speech. ]]

Barnabas “was a good man, filled with the holy Spirit and faith”

He had shown himself a good man towards Saul, befriending him in Jerusalem and introducing him to the Church. He saw Saul’s good heart.

He was a good man in Antioch and did not see that they wrong type of people had turned to the Lord but simply that people had turned to the Lord. He saw “the grace of God” and he encouraged the new believers.

He was a good man when he went and got Saul, not being afraid of slipping into second fiddle nor being afraid that Saul had stirred up persecution, but rather seeing his gifts. The results in Antioch were very good.

He was a good man who, when fasting and praying with others, was chosen by God along with Saul to go on a risky mission. Perhaps God was balancing out Saul.

Jesus sends out men to do good

They were to offer the “Kingdom of Heaven”

They were to heal, to do good

They were to minister freely, without a fee

They were to live simply - people could see that they trusted God to provide and were not “in it” for the money

They were to accept whatever hospitality was provided, wherever there was a “son of peace,” and not try to “better their lot”

There was none of Elisha’s cursing youths in them, no mauling bears mixed with the healings

Sisters, we live in the New Testament with the New Testament mission

Let us do good.

I am sure that this is not too strange to daughters of Dominic, but we can always grow in doing it better.

We want to be “good” in every way.

But let us follow backwards what the text says: Barnabas was full of faith, which is trust in God, in Jesus, and now for us, in Mary. If we trust we can be good and giving like the apostles.

Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit. The more we let the Spirit flow into us, the more goodness flows out. Sure, the Spirit works healings and other wonders, yet they are but one type of goodness. And sometimes Christians so focus on that type that they miss the whole underlying character.

Let us be like Barnabas - let us be good sons and daughters of God. And that goodness will lead us into prayer and fasting before God and then into mission with God. Amen

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 6-11-2022: Saint Barnabas, Apostle

FIRST READING

(Proper)

Acts 11:21b–26, 13:1–3

21 The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas [to go] to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, 24 for he was a good man, filled with the holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord. 25 Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 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.” 3 Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off.

Catholic Daily Readings 6-11-2022: Saint Barnabas, Apostle

RESPONSE

(Proper)

Psalm 98:2b

2 The LORD has made his victory known;

has revealed his triumph in the sight of the nations,

PSALM

(Proper)

Psalm 98:1–6

1 A psalm.

Sing a new song to the LORD,

for he has done marvelous deeds.

His right hand and holy arm

have won the victory.

2 The LORD has made his victory known;

has revealed his triumph in the sight of the nations,

3 He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness

toward the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the victory of our God.

4 Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth;

break into song; sing praise.

5 Sing praise to the LORD with the lyre,

with the lyre and melodious song.

6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn

shout with joy to the King, the LORD.

The following gospel is not proper for St Barnabas

Catholic Daily Readings 6-11-2022: Saint Barnabas, Apostle

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Psalm 119:36a, 29b

36 Direct my heart toward your testimonies

and away from gain.

29 Lead me from the way of deceit;

favor me with your law.

GOSPEL

Matthew 5:33–37

33  “Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all; not by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ Anything more is from the evil one.

Catholic Daily Readings 6-11-2022: Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Matthew 28:19a, 20b

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

GOSPEL

(Proper)

Matthew 10:7–13

7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. 9 Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; 10 no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter a house, wish it peace. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 6-11-2022: Saint Barnabas, Apostle

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2022 | MEMORIAL

SAINT BARNABAS, APOSTLE

The first reading for this memorial is proper.

YEARS 1 & 2 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

From Saturday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading Acts 11:21b–26, 13:1–3 (Proper)

Response Psalm 98:2b (Proper)

Psalm Psalm 98:1–6 (Proper)

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 119:36a, 29b

Gospel Matthew 5:33–37

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