Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 11, 2024
First Reading: Acts 11.21b-26; 13.1-3
21The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with 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."3So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Psalm 98
1Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.2The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.3He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;5make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,6with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn- shout for joy before the LORD, the King.7Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.8Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy;9let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
Gospel: Matthew 10.7-13
7As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.9Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;10take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.12As you enter the home, give it your greeting.13If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, 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.