Daily Readings - Tue Jun 11 2019
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
The readings today remind us of the power of faith, the importance of community, and the call to trust in God’s providence. In the first reading from Acts, we see the early Christian community thriving in Antioch, where Barnabas and Saul are called by the Holy Spirit to embark on a mission. This passage highlights the unity and purpose of the Church, as well as the Spirit’s guidance in sending forth missionaries to spread the Good News. The Gospel from Matthew complements this by showing Jesus sending out his disciples to preach and heal, instructing them to trust in God’s provision and not be burdened by material possessions. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own call to live with faith, simplicity, and a willingness to serve others.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early days of Christianity, when the Church was growing rapidly and facing new challenges. In Acts, the Church at Antioch represents a moment of transition, as Gentiles (non-Jews) are being welcomed into the faith, and the mission to the wider world is beginning. Matthew’s Gospel, on the other hand, captures Jesus’ instructions to his disciples as he prepares them to continue his work after he is gone. Both readings emphasize the importance of trusting in God’s plan and being open to the Spirit’s leading, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to live with greater faith and generosity. Like the disciples in Matthew’s Gospel, we are called to step out in trust, knowing that God will provide what we need. This doesn’t mean we should be careless or irresponsible, but rather that we should not let fear or attachment to material things hold us back from serving others and sharing the Good News. Similarly, the example of Barnabas and Saul in Acts encourages us to be open to new opportunities and to work together as a community, supporting one another in our shared mission.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Am I living with the kind of faith and trust that God desires? Am I open to the Spirit’s leading in my life? How can I simplify my life and focus more on serving others and sharing the love of Christ? May we, like the early Christians, be filled with joy, courage, and a resolute heart as we follow the Lord.