Daily Readings - Mon Jun 11 2018
Acts
21And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.22The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.23When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,24for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.25So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
1Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2While 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."3Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Matthew
7And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.9Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts,10no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.11And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.12As you enter the house, greet it.13And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound trust in God's providence that defined the early Christian community and the disciples of Jesus. The first reading from Acts describes how the Church in Antioch, guided by the Holy Spirit, entrusted Barnabas and Saul to their missionary journey. This moment marks the beginning of the Church's expansion beyond Jerusalem, showing how the community, through fasting and prayer, surrendered to God's will. Similarly, in the Gospel, Jesus sends out his disciples with a radical simplicity, instructing them to rely not on material possessions but on the hospitality and grace of those they encounter. Both readings emphasize a deep reliance on God and a willingness to step out in faith, trusting that He will provide.
The connection between these readings lies in their emphasis on trust and surrender. In Acts, the Church at Antioch does not hold onto Barnabas and Saul but releases them for the work God has prepared. In Matthew, Jesus calls the disciples to embrace a life of simplicity and dependence on God. This teaches us that our faith is not about control or security but about openness to God's plan. Just as the early Church and the disciples had to let go of their own plans, we too are called to trust in God's providence, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on where we place our trust. Do we rely on our own strength and resources, or do we surrender to God's plan? The early Christians and the disciples show us that true freedom comes from trusting in God and living with simplicity and openness. Let us ask ourselves: Am I holding onto things that prevent me from fully surrendering to God's will? Let us pray for the courage to trust in His providence, knowing that He will provide us with everything we need to fulfill our mission in life.