This is the Liturgy of the Hours for June 11. Your local date is .
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June 11
Memorial
“But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, ‘Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them’” (Acts 14:14).[1]
St Barnabas, named Joseph at the time of his birth, was a Levite and one of the first to embrace the Christian way. Although he was not one of the Twelve, St. Luke refers to him as an “apostle.” After hearing the apostles’ testimony in Jerusalem, he sold a field that he owned and laid the money down at their feet. St Barnabas was a friend to St Paul and brought him to the apostles, when Paul went to Jerusalem and wanted to redeem his reputation. Next, St Barnabas was commissioned to go to Antioch to shepherd the Gentile converts. He invited St Paul and they met with the city’s infant church and instructed them for a year. Afterwards, he traveled through Asia Minor and was a respected missionary and advisor. St. Luke describes St Barnabas as encourager, “… a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 4:36, 11:24). [2][3]
Written by Sarah Ciotti
Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD
[1] Revised Standard Version, s.v., “The Acts of the Apostles.”
[2] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Barnabas.”
[3] Revised Standard Version, s.v., “The Acts of the Apostles.”