Subj : June 11th - Saint Barnabas, Apostle
To   : All
From : rich
Date : Mon Jun 10 2019 09:26:11

From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

June 11th - Saint Barnabas, Apostle

(from the Liturgical Year, 1904)


The month of June all aflame with the fires of Pentecost, sees the
Holy Ghost setting upon its predestined foundations, the first layer
of stones, in the Church's construction; to this month, that is,
belongs the honour of proclaiming the memorable names of Peter and
Paul, wherein are summed up all the services and trophies of the whole
Apostolic College. Peter declared the Gentiles admitted to the grace
of the Gospel; Paul was named their Apostle; but still, before
rendering the homage so justly due to these two leaders of the
Christian people, fitting is it that nations should throng, in
grateful veneration, around the sainted guide given to Paul himself,
in the opening days of his apostolate, that is, around Barnabas, whose
name is interpreted, the son of consolation (Acts, iv. 36) and by whom
the convert of Damascus was presented to the terrified Church, anon so
sorely tried by the violence of Saul the persecutor. The 29th of June
will derive its chief radiance from the simultaneous confession of the
two Princes of the Apostles, united in death, as they had been one in
life (Ant. Oct. Ap. ad Bened). Be then honour due, first of all, to
him who first knit together this fruitful union, by leading to the
Head of the infant Church, the future Doctor of the Gentiles (Acts,
ix. 27). Barnabas presents himself before us, as a herald; the feast
which the Church is celebrating in his honour is a prelude to the
gladness which awaits us, at the end of this month so rich in light
and in fruits of holiness.

Let us read his history, drawn up, as it mainly is, from the Acts of
the Apostles. Notwithstanding its brevity, there are, on the pages of
the sacred Liturgy, few more glorious than this.

Barnabas, called also Joseph, a Levite, was born in Cyprus, and was
the one designated by the apostles, together with Paul, to preach the
Gospel of Christ, to the Gentiles. He having land, sold it, and
brought the money to the apostles. Being sent to Antioch to preach
there, he met with a great number of people already converted to the
faith of Christ, the Lord, which thing filled him with much joy, and
he multiplied his exhortations, that they might persevere in the faith
of Christ. His word had great success, for he was looked upon by all
as a good man and one filled with the Holy Ghost.

Traveling thence to Tarsus, there to seek Paul, he came with him as
far as Antioch. They here passed one year with the Faithful who formed
the Church of this city, labouring to instruct them in the Christian
life and in faith; and here also it was, that the worshippers of Jesus
Christ were first called Christians. The disciples of Paul and
Barnabas aided with alms, the Christians that were in Judea; and sent
these subsidies by the hands of Paul and Barnabas. Having performed
this work of charity, joining unto them John, surnamed Mark, they
returned to Antioch.

Whilst Paul and Barnabas were serving the Lord in the Church of
Antioch, fasting and praying with the other prophets and doctors, the
Holy Ghost spoke and said: Separate Me Paul and Barnabas for the work
whereunto I have called them. Then with fasting and prayer, they
imposed hands upon them and let them depart. They went to Seleucia,
and thence to Cyprus; besides this, they passed through many towns and
countries preaching the gospel everywhere with much fruit, amongst all
who heard them. After this Barnabas separated himself from Paul and
together with John surnamed Mark, returned to Cyprus. Here, about the
7th year of the reign of Nero, on the third of the Ides of June, he
joined the martyr's crown to the dignity of an Apostle. In the reign
of the Emperor Zeno, his body was discovered, in the Island of Cyprus:
on his breast lay a copy of the Gospel of Saint Matthew, written by
the hand of Barnabas himself.

See more at:
http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Barnabas.html


Saint Quote:
Let us love, for love will give us everything.
--Jean-Pierre de Caussade

Bible Quote:
You are they who declare yourselves just in the sight of men, but God
knows your heart. (Luke 16:15)


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Hymn: Exsultet orbis

Now let the earth with joy resound,
And heaven the chant re-echo round;
Nor heaven nor earth too high can raise
The great Apostles' glorious praise.

O ye who, throned in glory dread,
Shall judge the living and the dead,
Lights of the world forever more!
To you the suppliant prayer we pour.

Ye close the sacred gates on high;
At your command apart they fly:
O loose for us the guilty chain
We strive to break, and strive in vain.

Sickness and health your voice obey;
At your command they go or stay:
From sin's disease our souls restore;
In good confirm us more and more.

So when the world is at its end.
And Christ to Judgment shall descend,
May we be called those joys to see
Prepared from all eternity.

Praise to the Father, with the son,
And Holy spirit, Three in One;
As ever was in ages past,
And so shall be while ages last. Amen

(Roman Breviary for the Common of Apostles)

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