Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
First Reading – Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; 24for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the Church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.
Now in the Church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Bar na bas, Symeon who was called Ni′ger, Lucius of Cyre′ne, Man’aen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While 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.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
℟ The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.
℟ The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
The Lord has made known his victory, he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
℟ The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
℟ The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!
With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
℟ The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Alleluia – John 13:34
℟ Alleluia!
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
℟ Alleluia!
Gospel – Matthew 5:20-26
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny.
Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, Ignatius Press, Copyright ⓒ 2006.