Memorial of Saint
Barnabas, apostle
(Acts 11:21b-26.13:1-3; Matthew 5:20-26)
Barnabas may be readily identified for his companionship
of Paul on the so-called first missionary journey. But we know him in the book of Acts as well
for his remarkable display of generosity.
Barnabas, originally called Joseph, is the man who gave all the proceeds
of land he had sold to the community of disciples in Jerusalem. Such a magnanimous gesture demonstrates what
Jesus teaches in today’s gospel.
Jesus instructs his disciples that they must be the
“light of the world.” He intends that
they do what some today call “random acts of kindness” so that the world will
inquire their motivation and find out that it is the Holy Spirit who comes to
them through Jesus Christ, the Lord.
In times when people are urged to think of themselves and
to consume as if there were no tomorrow, it is challenging to think of our
neighbor and act on her or his behalf.
Yet Jesus requires this kind of generosity of his disciples. Gratefully, he equips us with the Spirit that
not only moves us to deny ourselves but provides joy when we do so.
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