Daily Readings - Tue Jun 11 2024
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 early Christian Church’s vibrant faith and missionary spirit. The First Reading from Acts describes how the Church in Antioch thrived under the guidance of Barnabas and Saul, who were called by the Holy Spirit to embark on a great mission. This passage highlights the importance of trusting in God’s providence and being open to the Spirit’s guidance. The Gospel from Matthew, on the other hand, captures Jesus’ instructions to His disciples as He sends them out to preach and heal. He emphasizes simplicity and detachment from material possessions, urging them to rely on the generosity of others and to trust that their needs will be met.
Both readings underscore the theme of radical trust in God and living with simplicity. In Acts, the early Christians at Antioch were so filled with the Holy Spirit that they were able to let go of their own plans and follow God’s call. Similarly, in Matthew, Jesus teaches His disciples to embrace a life of detachment, not just from material goods but also from the desire for comfort and security. This teaches us that true freedom comes from relying on God and not on ourselves or our possessions.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Am I living with the kind of trust and simplicity that God calls me to? Am I open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in my life, even when it challenges my plans? Let us pray for the grace to let go of our attachments and to follow God’s will with courage and faith. May we, like the early Christians, be witnesses of God’s love and mercy in the world today.