Daily Readings - Thu Jun 11 2020
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 encounter two powerful narratives that guide us in understanding the essence of faith and mission. The first reading from Acts highlights the early Christian community in Antioch, where Barnabas and Saul are set apart by the Holy Spirit for their missionary journey. This passage underscores the Church's growth and the pivotal role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the community's actions. The Gospel from Matthew presents Jesus instructing His disciples to preach, heal, and trust in divine providence, emphasizing a life of simplicity and detachment from material wealth.
Both readings emphasize the Holy Spirit's active role in mission and the importance of trusting in God's providence. In Acts, the Spirit guides the Church in Antioch to recognize and commission Barnabas and Saul for their work. In Matthew, Jesus instructs the disciples to rely on God's provision, teaching them to live simply and generously. This relationship between the readings highlights the consistent theme of trusting God and living selflessly, which is central to the Christian life.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace faith and simplicity. We should trust in God's plan and provision, avoiding the temptation to accumulate wealth. Living generously and selflessly allows us to share God's love effectively. The moral lesson here is clear: our faith should lead us to trust in God's providence and live with open hearts, ready to serve and share His love with others.