Barnabas recruits Paul for the work of evangelization. You can say that he was Paul’s mentor. Paul grows in his faith and gift as an evangelist, such that he eventually takes the lead from Barnabas. This should be the goal of those who mentor others in the Christian way of life—that the one we mentor will surpass us in holiness. The essence of faith is a relationship with God. There is no competition here because each person’s relationship with God is unique.

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

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)  

God gives us the opportunity to make a difference. The most exciting decision I have made in my life is to become a disciple of Jesus. I faced tremendous challenges that helped my faith grow and mature. Let us ask ourselves what we want to focus on in our faith life. How committed are we in using the graces God gives us? Do we desire to become saints and leave an enduring legacy?

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:13-16 (or Matthew 10:7-13)

13 Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. 16 Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”

think: “The family is the salt of the earth and the light of the world. It is the leaven of society.” - Pope Francis

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Read the Bible in one year - 1 Kings 12-14    

SALT AND LIGHT 

What would we do without salt and light? They have two things in common— both are indispensable to our daily life, and they are not appreciated for themselves. We don’t eat just salt but mix it in our food to make it delicious. And we don’t switch on the light just to stare at it. Salt and light become meaningful when they are used in the right context. And here is the main message of Jesus’ saying in today’s Gospel reading: We cannot be good Christians in isolation but only in our relation with God and our fellowmen, in the context of this world to which we have to give flavor and goodness.

Too much salt or no salt in our food makes us aware of its importance. Salt, once put into the food, disappears. Only the taste makes us aware of its presence. Here is another important lesson for our Christian life. Religion is not something for display, but something that gives a good taste to what we do and say.

Salt also serves as a preservative. In a time of rampant corruption and moral permissiveness, it is our task as Christians to preserve what is good in the world and in people; it is a great task entrusted to us to preserve the values of Christ in a world that tramples on what He gave us as values more and more.

Light, Jesus says, is not lit to be hidden. It must be seen and so fulfill its purpose. The light Jesus speaks about is not our own light. No, we don’t let our own light shine—the world would be quite dark. We have received this light from God. We are like the moon that reflects the light of the sun. The main light we have received to be shared is love. And love cannot be hidden. Love must manifest itself in words and actions. The light of love we share makes God’s love visible. To attend Mass only and pray in private does not yet make us genuine Christians. Rather, liturgy and prayers give us the strength for the most important task: to share God’s love in daily life. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

------- REFLECTION QUESTION -------

Has the world become better and brighter because of your being a Christian?

Lord, hearing and reading Your Word, I receive again and again the same message: I am not yet a genuine disciple of Yours; I am too much concerned with myself instead of sharing You with the world around me. Help me break out of this shell. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _______________________________