Without cost you have received, without cost you are to give. – Matthew 10:8

     Zeny left for the United Kingdom in the late ‘70s in search of the proverbial greener pasture. Even though she had an accountancy degree, she became a nurse as there was a great demand in that field. Like most Filipinos working overseas, she was the family’s breadwinner and provided faithfully for her aging parents, her youngest sister, and her sister’s children. She helped relatives, friends and even friends of friends. Her innate compassion and generosity allowed her to serve her elderly patients in the hospital’s geriatric ward. She journeyed with some of them until their last breath and ensured they were blessed and laid to rest in the absence of family.

       I, too, am a recipient of this lady’s generosity. Before she left to work abroad, she took care of me for several years when I was a toddler. She fed, bathed and lulled me to sleep. She played with me and took me for rides on the motorco that plied the stretch of Roxas Boulevard. While in London, she kept in touch and remained “present” in my life. During my struggle with depression, she called me overseas every week and patiently listened to me. I am honored and truly blessed by Tita Zeny, a channel of God’s generosity to many. Dina Pecaña (dpecana@yahoo.com)

Pope Francis Says: “Whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something new about God.”

Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; teach me to serve You as You deserve, to give and not to count the cost. (St. Ignatius of Loyola)

St. Barnabas, Apostle, pray for us.

Barnabas in Hebrew means “son of encouragement.” We must learn to support and encourage one another in our faith so that the doubts of sin do not overwhelm us. We need all the help and support we can get to receive the gift of salvation that Christ won for us.

Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3

21 In those days 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. 13:1 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 worshipping 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.

Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

R: The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. 3 He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)

Competition among workers in the vineyard of the Lord is a scandal. Instead of competing with one another for attention, we should encourage one another in our work for the Kingdom of God. When we truly work together, we will prevent Satan from disrupting our evangelization and discipleship. We must stand united against the powers of evil so that the grace of God will prevail.

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world.

Matthew 10:7-13 (Feast day Gospel)

7 Jesus said to the Twelve: “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.”

think: We must stand united against the powers of evil so that the grace of God will prevail.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

ST. BARNABAS:

OUR BLESSING AND ENCOURAGEMENT

Today we have a special set of readings, tailor-fit to the liturgical commemoration of St. Barnabas. The Gospel passage, for instance, is no other than Jesus’ instructions to His Twelve Apostles. Barnabas is not part of the original Twelve, but the Lord’s words surely apply to him as well.

       One of Jesus’ directives goes: “Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it...” Now would it be far-fetched to consider Barnabas as one of the worthy citizens? That’s who he is when he is first mentioned towards the end of Chapter 4 of the Acts of the Apostles. It says that Barnabas “sold a piece of property that he owned, then brought the money and put it at the feet of the Apostles.” We can imagine how Barnabas’s generosity and availability became a blessing to the early Christian community.

     But blessings are not only rituals nor merely material blessings. Persons, in fact, can be blessings to us, as in the case of Barnabas.

      He is described again in the Acts of the Apostles in today’s First Reading as “a good man, filled with the holy Spirit and faith” (11:24). That is truly what he is. This “son of encouragement” (the literal meaning of his name) continues to bring us blessing and inspiration, for whom therefore we praise and thank God! Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: How can you be more of an encourager to the people around you? Ask St. Barnabas to pray for you.

We thank You, Lord, for the gift of St. Barnabas. May his life be an encouragement to us. Amen.