For daily readings, see http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/061108.shtml
St. Barnabas, apostle, pray for us!
The life of St. Barnabas is most worthy of our reflection, for although Barnabas was neither one of the original twelve chosen to be with Jesus during his earthly life, nor was he present during the paschal events, all the same his intercession is sought around the world today because Barnabas through his diligent preaching and building up of the kingdom of God has risen to the rank of apostle. He is among that small company of original apostles to whom the revelation of Jesus Christ was first entrusted. We honor him for many things, but perhaps especially diocesan priests should honor Barnabas for his success in building up the first stable Christian community at Antioch. It seems that Barnabas more than anyone was responsible for identifying the great prophets and teachers within the community, and converting them to the preaching of the Gospel. It was Barnabas who brought the great apostle Paul to Antioch, further strengthening this faith community. Long before the church of Rome or even the original church at Antioch were firmly established, the Church had a stable body of believers who called themselves Christians and contributed greatly to the growing early tradition of the Church, thanks to St. Barnabas.
At the end of today's reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul and Barnabas are called by God for a special work and sent out by their community to preach the Gospel to far away places. The community prayed and fasted for Paul and Barnabas before they sent them out. Their last act was to lay hands on them. Of course, these traditions have been handed down faithfully within the Church, and are clearly seen, among other places, within the ordination rite of a diocesan priest or deacon. There are many present at the ordination rite, for it is a public ceremony, who have prayed for the person to be ordained, and it can be said that many who are present - parents, teachers, friends and others - have sacrificed or fasted so that the man called to orders could answer his specific call from God and be ready to be sent out on mission. The bishop, then, passes on the apostolic ministry given to the first apostles such as Barnabas, to the ordinand through the laying on of hands. We give thanks to almighty God, for this beautiful way of handing on the apostolic ministry of the Church which has continued unbroken through the centuries. We give thanks especially for the new ordinands of our Archdiocese - Fr. Shawn and Deacons Pat, Matt and Andrew, for having the courage and faith to follow in the footsteps of the great apostle Barnabas!
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