Daily Readings - Tue Jun 11 2024
Acts
21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.22Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
1Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Matthew
7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.9Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,10Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.11And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.12And when ye come into an house, salute it.13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be 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.