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Until the will and the affections are brought under the authority of Christ, we have not begun to understand, let alone to accept, His lordship.
- Elisabeth Elliot
(This is an ongoing process. What are you being invited to surrender at this time in your life?)
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ACTS 11:21B-26; 12:1-3; PS 98:1, 2-3AB, 3CD-4, 5-6
MT 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up
the mountain,
and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for
righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you
and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.
Rejoice and be
glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture |
"Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for [Paul]." —Acts
11:25
Whenever a lowly underdog needed an advocate, the apostle Barnabas stepped forward. Barnabas was a champion for those who needed a second chance. Barnabas took Paul under his protection when Paul risked his life to return to Jerusalem (see Acts 9:27). Barnabas introduced Paul to the apostles and spoke glowingly on Paul's behalf. Without Barnabas' intervention, those in Jerusalem
would have "refused to believe that [Paul] was a disciple" at all (Acts 9:26), given Paul's background of zealously persecuting disciples of Jesus. When the church in Antioch needed encouragement and instruction, Barnabas brought in Paul to provide it (Acts 11:25ff). Barnabas brought financial relief to Christians in Jerusalem who were suffering the effects of a famine (Acts 11:30).
When Barnabas was
chosen as the leader of the first evangelical mission (Acts 13:2), he took along his young cousin Mark (Col 4:10). Barnabas' encouragement of Paul bore fruit as Paul stepped out and proclaimed God's Word in great power. Soon Barnabas lost his leadership job as Paul ascended to the top spot in the mission because of his powerful preaching.
When the pressure increased, Mark left the missionary team. Barnabas
later took Mark under his wing when Paul refused to take Mark back (Acts 15:37ff). But Barnabas' advocacy for Mark meant the loss of his own job on the missionary team. At this point, Barnabas disappears from the pages of the Acts of the Apostles. Yet Barnabas' humble, selfless encouragement bore fruit again. Mark became a strong evangelist, even writing a Gospel. Barnabas decreased, but his protégés increased greatly (Jn 3:30).
Prayer: Father, may I raise up disciples for Jesus as did Barnabas.
Promise: "The gift you have received, give as a gift." —Mt 10:8
Praise: St. Barnabas' great faith bore great fruit. He dedicated himself to following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, despite not knowing the end
result beforehand.
Presentation Ministries
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Abandonment to Divine Providence - by Jean-Pierre de Caussade Section
IV: In What Perfection Consists
The designs of God, the good pleasure of God, the will of God, the operation of God and the gift of His grace are all one and the same thing in the spiritual life. It is God working in the soul to make it like unto Himself. Perfection is neither more nor less than the faithful co-operation of the soul with this work of God, and is begun, grows, and is
consummated in the soul unperceived and in secret. The science of theology is full of theories and explanations of the wonders of this state in each soul according to its capacity. One may be conversant with all these speculations, speak and write about them admirably, instruct others and guide souls; yet, if these theories are only in the mind, one is, compared with those who, without any knowledge of these theories, receive the meaning of the designs of God and do His holy will, like a sick
physician compared to simple people in perfect health. The designs of God and his divine will accepted by a faithful soul with simplicity produces this divine state in it without its knowledge, just as a medicine taken obediently will produce health, although the sick person neither knows nor wishes to know anything about medicine. As fire gives out heat, and not philosophical discussions about it, nor knowledge of its effects, so the designs of God and His holy will work in the soul for its
sanctification, and not speculations of curiosity as to this principle and this state. When one is thirsty one quenches ones thirst by drinking, not by reading books which treat of this condition. The desire to know does but increase this thirst. Therefore when one thirsts after sanctity, the desire to know about it only drives it further away. Speculation must be laid aside, and everything arranged by God as regards actions and sufferings must be accepted with simplicity, for those things that
happen at each moment by the divine command or permission are always the most holy, the best and the most divine for us.
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