A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday Liturgy

A Lectio Divina Approach to the Sunday & Weekday Liturgy

BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD (Series 20, n. 28)

Pentecost – 10^th Week in Ordinary Time: June 5-11, 2022

(The pastoral tool BREAKING THE BREAD OF THE WORD: A LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY & WEEKDAY LITURGY includes a prayerful study of the Sunday liturgy from various perspectives. For the Lectio Divina on the liturgy of the past week: May 29 – June 4, 2022 please go to ARCHIVES Series 20 and click on “Easter Week 7”.

Below is a LECTIO DIVINA APPROACH TO THE SUNDAY - WEEKDAY LITURGY:

June 5-11, 2022.)

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June 5, 2022: PENTECOST SUNDAY

“JESUS SAVIOR: His Holy Spirit is the Advocate”

BIBLE READINGS

Acts 2:1-11 // Rom 8:8-17 // Jn 14:15-16, 23b-26

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

A. Gospel Reading (Jn 14:15-16, 23b-26): “His Holy Spirit will teach you everything.”

The Fresno Bee newspaper, dated May 19, 2004, contains a remarkable account about an American soldier who stood for what is right and just. Here is the Associated Press story.

Hugh C. Thompson was a 24-year-old pilot flying over the Vietnamese jungle on March 16, 1968. The crew’s objective: draw Viet Cong fire from My Lai, so helicopter gunships could swoop in and take out the enemy gunners. Thompson saw gunfire but found no enemy fighters. He saw only American troops, who were forcing Vietnamese civilians into a ditch, then opening fire. Thompson landed his helicopter to block the Americans, then instructed his gunner to open fire on the soldiers if they tried to harm any more villagers. Thompson and two other chopper pilots airlifted villagers to safety, and he reported the slaughter to superiors. ‘We saw something going wrong, so we did the right thing and we reported it right then,’ Thompson said. The Vietnamese government estimated that more than 500 were killed. Army Lt. William Calley Jr. was convicted in a 1971 court-martial and received a life sentence for the My Lai massacre. Thompson received the prestigious Soldier’s Medal – 30 years after the fact. His acts are now considered heroic. But for years, Thompson suffered snubs and worse from those inside and outside the military who considered his actions unpatriotic.

This courageous pilot is an example of a person who has opened himself to the dictates of his moral conscience. He can be considered a paradigm of those who have opened up themselves to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate of the poor and the defenseless. Today’s disheartening local and world events can make us angry, despondent, and cynical. However, if we put them against the backdrop of the Pentecostal scene, which inaugurates the new age of the coming of the consoling and recreating Holy Spirit, we realize that even a devastated world such as ours can experience inner healing if only we open up ourselves to his action as the glorified Christ’s Easter gift.

Today’s feast of Pentecost is a celebration of God’s new and astounding presence in the world through the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God and the Risen Christ. The Holy Spirit, the principle of life and the missionary expansion of the Church, is the promised Advocate announced by Jesus at the Last Supper. Before the completion of his Passover, Jesus told his disciples: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have told you” (Jn 14:26). The Spirit of Jesus at work in the world and in the Church will be Christ’s way of dwelling among us in the “here and now” – a very “personal” way of keeping alive the power and meaning of his saving paschal mystery. As their “Advocate”, the Holy Spirit comes to the aid of the disciples called to witness in all times to Christian values. He is their intercessor - the “paraclete” or comforter. The Holy Spirit is the strength-giving presence of God who will animate and empower them in their vital choices in the midst of death-dealing cultures, wherever and whenever they are found.

In the aftermath of Pentecost, the Christian disciples are called to be courageous and heroic witnesses, individually and as a faith community. The Holy Spirit, outpoured on the day of Pentecost for the healing of nations, is the inner master who makes the living word of Jesus grow in our hearts and in the Church, that it may bear abundant fruit for all seasons. The Christian disciples, who abide in the love Jesus and keep his commands, can thus rest assured that the Holy Spirit – their Advocate – is with them always until the end of time.

B. First Reading (Acts 1:1-11): “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak.”

Today’s First Reading (Acts 2:2-11) is about the Christian Pentecost. It should be seen against the backdrop of the feast of the Jewish Shavuot that commemorates the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, an event accompanied by wind and fire. The feast of Shavuot celebrates the establishment of the Covenant of God with the Israelites, recalling the moment when they were constituted as the people of God. In the Christian Pentecost, as narrated by Luke, the Holy Spirit, the principle of the new law of love, is poured out upon the believers drawn out from all peoples of the earth to constitute the all-inclusive new people of God, the Church. This event is accompanied by stupendous signs: the noise of a strong driving wind, the tongues of fire that rested on the disciples, and the speaking in different tongues.

The Christian Pentecost is a Babel event (cf. Gen 11) in reverse. According to Luke, the Spirit-empowered apostles speak a universal language. The unity lost at Babel, when the one language was confused, is restored. This Pentecostal event of unity symbolizes and anticipates the apostles’ worldwide mission of salvation. In their enduring mission of evangelization, the community of believers is empowered by the Holy Spirit, whose coming and presence in their hearts will never cease. Truly, the Holy Spirit, the principal agent and the protagonist of the Church’s mission, is the principle of the New Covenant ratified by the blood of Christ, poured out by his death on the cross.

In May 2013 I had a beautiful experience of “universal salvation”. It was the second day of my annual retreat in our convent in Staten Island. There were twelve persons celebrating the Eucharist in our small but beautiful convent chapel. Suddenly a heartwarming thought dawned upon me. The Church gathered there was truly representative of the universal Church. The celebrant was a native New Yorker and the assembly came from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds: Italy, Canada, Mexico, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, India and the Philippines. The Eucharistic community gathered at that moment was a very powerful symbol of the universal salvation brought about by the Holy Spirit, the Easter gift. It was the fulfillment of Christ’s prophetic words before his passion: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all people to myself” (Jn 12:32).

C. Second Reading (Rom 8:8-17): “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

Today’s Second Reading (Rom 8:8-17) underlines the transforming and awesome power of the Spirit. The Spirit of the Father and the Son is the moving force in the life of the baptized. The Holy Spirit unites us to Christ the Son and enables us to enter into an intimate child relationship with God the Father. Having received this Spirit of adoption, we should act fittingly as children of God. Moreover, we are heirs of glory with Christ to the extent that we suffer, die, and rise with him.

The biblical scholar John Pilch remarks: “A very important result of being subject to the Spirit is that one becomes a true child of God … This Spirit says we are dear to God; we are his very own children. Further, not only does the Spirit make this child relationship with God possible, but the same Spirit gives each of us the power to recognize it, that is, to say ‘Abba, Father’. Yet lest anyone get too carried away with all this good news, Paul reminds the readers that we must suffer with Christ in order to be glorified with him. Suffering, of course, simply cannot compare with the glory or intimate share in God’s life, which is the destiny of each believer.”

The following story gives us a glimpse of what it means to live by the Spirit and embrace the way of love he inspires in us. To live by the Spirit of love enables us to be deeply related with one another and in a very meaningful way. We have heard many stories of people who learned to love by doing good things and of people who learned to do good things by loving. Dr. Bloomfield’s story is an example (cf. Harold Bloomfield, M.D., “The Two-Hundredth Hug” in A 2^nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul, ed. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, Deerfield Beach: Health Communications, Inc., 1995, p. 14-15).

My father’s skin was jaundiced as he lay hooked up to monitors and intravenous tubes in the intensive care unit of the hospital. Normally a well-built man, he had lost more than 30 pounds. My father’s illness had been diagnosed as cancer of the pancreas, one of the most malignant forms of the disease. The doctors were doing what they could but told us that he had only three to six months to live. Cancer of the pancreas does not lend itself to radiation therapy or chemotherapy, so they could offer little hope.

A few days later, when my father was sitting up in bed, I approached him and said, “Dad, I feel deeply for what’s happened to you. It’s helped me to look at the ways I’ve kept my distance and to feel how much I really love you.” I leaned over to give him a hug, but his shoulders and arms became tense. “C’mon, Dad, I really want to give you a hug.” For a moment he looked shocked. Showing affection was not our usual way of relating. I asked him to sit up some more so I could get my arms around him. Then I tried again. This time, however, he was even more tense. I could feel the old resentment starting to build up, and I began to think, “I don’t need this. If you want to die and leave me with the same coldness as always, go right ahead.”

For years I had used every instance of my father’s resistance and rigidness to blame him, to resent him and to say to myself, “See, he doesn’t care.” This time, however, I thought again and realized the hug was for my benefit as well as my father’s. I wanted to express how much I cared for him no matter how hard it was for him to let me in. My father had always been very Germanic and duty-oriented; in his childhood, his parents must have taught him how to shut off his feelings in order to be a man.

Letting go of my long-held desire to blame him for our distance, I was actually looking forward to that challenge of giving him more love. I said, “C’mon, Dad, put your arms around me.” I leaned up close to him at the edge of the bed with his arms around me. “Now squeeze. That’s it. Now again, squeeze. Very good! In a sense I was showing my father how to hug, and as he squeezed, something happened. For an instant, a feeling of “I love you” bubbled through. For years our greeting had been a cold and formal handshake that said, “Hello, how are you?” Now, both he and I waited for that momentary closeness to happen again. Yet, just at the moment when he would begin to enjoy the feeling of love, something would tighten in his upper torso and our hug would become awkward and strange. It took months before his rigidness gave way and he was able to let the emotions inside him pass through his arms to encircle me.

It was up to me to be the source of many hugs before my father initiated a hug on his own. I was not blaming him, but supporting him; after all, he was changing the habits of an entire lifetime – and that takes time. I knew we were succeeding because more and more we were relating out of care and affection. Around the two-hundredth hug, he spontaneously said out loud, for the first time I could ever recall, “I love you.”

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

Do we allow the Spirit of truth to guide us on the way of love and teach us to keep the Father’s life-giving word? Do we rejoice and continue to marvel at the miracle of the Christian Pentecost? Are we deeply aware that through the Holy Spirit, we have been made children of God at baptism, and are destined to share in Christ’s glory – to the extent that we suffer with him?

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

Loving God, our heavenly Father,

we thank you for the marvelous manifestation of the Holy Spirit

at the “new” Pentecost,

which gave birth to the Church.

We bless you for the fruitful harvest of believers

from all nations and peoples of the earth.

Loving Father,

the Spirit of love is always present and at work in our midst.

Help us to be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Let him guide us on the path of love and the ways of peace.

Help us to live by the Spirit.

He unites us deeply to Jesus Christ in his paschal suffering

that we may be co-heirs with him in his heavenly glory.

We offer to you, O powerful Father, our untiring prayer:

“Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.”

We praise you with the Son and the Holy Spirit,

now and forever.

Amen.

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Rom 8:14)

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

By your works of charity and kindness, of justice and peace, allow the people around you to experience anew the marvels of the “new” Pentecost.

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June 6, 2022: MONDAY – THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Gives to Us Mary as

Mother of the Church”

BIBLE READINGS

Gn 3:9-15, 20 or Acts 1:12-14 // Jn 19:25-34

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

In 1994, desiring to deepen our Priestly Apostolate as PDDM Sisters, we presented to Msgr. Protacio Gungon, the Bishop of the Diocese of Antipolo (Philippines), our plan to organize the mothers, fathers, relatives and friends of priests as “prayer warriors”. They would pray especially for priests and for priestly-religious vocations and would also serve as a support group for them. Bishop Gungon blessed our initiative with his approval. Moreover, he suggested that this group of “prayer warriors” be dedicated to “MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH”. Thus, the Mary, Mother of the Church: Prayer Association for Priests started on February 2, 1994 in the Diocese of Antipolo to support and collaborate with the priestly ministry. It was very opportune to be under the patronage of Mary, who is the Mother of Jesus Priest and the Mother of the Church, the community of believers generated by Christ’s priestly sacrifice on the cross. Hence, I received with joy the announcement made by Pope Francis on March 3, 2018 that a new memorial entitled, “The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church” would be universally celebrated throughout the Church, on the Monday after Pentecost Sunday.

The Bible Readings assigned for this Marian memorial are well chosen. The Gospel reading (John 19:25-34) depicts the “birthing” of the Church from the wounded side of Christ and the entrusting of the Church, the community of disciples represented by John, to Mother Mary. In the Gospel of John, the attempt to slake his “thirst” with “a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop” evokes the “sprig of hyssop” of Exodus 12:22, that is, the plant used to sprinkle Israelite doors with the saving blood of the Passover lamb. Against this backdrop, we realize that Jesus’ cry: “It is finished”, before he bows his head and hands over his spirit, indicates the fulfillment of the divine plan of salvation. By the outpouring of his blood on the cross, Jesus, the Priest and Victim, accomplishes all he has to do - the Father’s will … the Scriptures … the salvation of humankind! In the mind of the evangelist John, the death of Jesus is a “glorification”. It is the release of his Spirit into the world. By his death, Jesus releases his Spirit to the Father and at the same time, pours it out to believers. Moreover, the evangelist John narrates that a soldier pierces the side of Jesus with a lance and immediately “blood and water” flow out. The “blood and water” from the pierced side of Christ signify Baptism and the Eucharist, by which Christ continues to generate the Church through time and space and to nourish them with his sacramental body and blood. Indeed, Baptism and the Eucharist are the “life sources” of the Church, the “new Eve”, coming forth from the side of Jesus Christ, the “new Adam”.

In the context of the “birthing” of the Church on the cross, Mary plays a prominent role. In the mystery of the Lord’s incarnation, Mary becomes the Mother of Jesus, the Son of God. In the paschal mystery on the cross, Mary becomes the “Mother of the Church”, the community of Christian disciples that is continually generated through the ages. The First Reading (Gn 3:9-15, 20) is about Adam’s wife, Eve, the mother of all the living. Mary, who stood with Jesus by the cross, is another Eve – the “new Eve” – the mother of all those redeemed by her Son Jesus. While Adam’s Eve brought death to the world, Mary – the “new Eve” is life-giving through her intimate participation in Christ’s redemptive work. For us Christian disciples, Mary becomes our Mother and Jesus becomes our brother. We are Mary’s children and, consequently, we are brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus. The biblical scholar Neal Flanagan asserts that Mary, beneath the cross, is “a woman of victory” and indicate Mary’s vital contribution to salvation history.

The alternative First Reading (Acts 1:12-14) depicts Mary as the Mother of the apostles and disciples in the Cenacle, preparing for the “Pentecostal” generation of the Church, that is destined to preach the Gospel to the nations by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In this biblical text, the evangelist Luke portrays the time between the Ascension of the Lord and the Pentecost as a time of waiting and praying. The disciples of the Lord, as participants in the Easter event, are sharing in the hour of “silent begetting” and are waiting for the Pentecostal hour that will change everything. According to Saint Luke, they “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer”. The community of praying disciples has as its nucleus the apostles who, on the day of Pentecost, would be empowered to become the new leaders of God’s people. Luke narrates that the prototype Church includes “some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers”. Among the women disciples in Jerusalem after the Ascension, Luke names only Mary, the mother of Jesus. She who bore the Savior in her womb is with the apostles when the Holy Spirit descends to bring the missionary Church to birth for the sending out to the nations. The vital role of Mary in Jesus’ birth is beautifully evoked at the birthing of the Church on Pentecost.

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

Do we greatly esteem the role of Mary in the birthing of the Church and in the life of the Church? How do we manifest in daily life our love for Mary?

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

(Our Founder Blessed James Alberione has a great devotion to Mary, Queen of the Apostles. In the following prayer he composed, he underlines her animating role in the apostolic and praying Church. Likewise, in this prayer, Blessed Alberione gives Mary the beautiful titles, “Mother of the apostles” and “Mother of the Church”.)

Virgin most pure, noble Queen of Martyrs,

Morning Star, safe Refuge of sinners,

rejoice for the days in which you were Teacher, Comforter

and Mother of the apostles in the Cenacle!

You invoked and received the Divine Paraclete,

the Spirit with the seven gifts,

Love of the Father and of the Son,

Transformer of the Apostles.

With your all-powerful intercession

and your humble and irresistible prayers,

which always move God’s heart,

obtain for me the grace to realize the value

of every human person ransomed from hell

with Jesus’ most precious blood. (…)

Mother of the Church,

Queen of the Apostles, our Advocate,

to you we sigh, mourning in this valley of tears!

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

“Behold, your mother!” (Jn 19:27)

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

Continue to invoke Mary’s intercession that finally we may be liberated from the pandemic calamity. Extend your assistance as the Church community slowly come together for the sacramental celebration.

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June 7, 2022: TUESDAY – WEEKDAY (10)

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Calls Us to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World … We Trust in His Word”

BIBLE READINGS

I Kgs 17:7-16 // Mt 5:13-16

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

A. Gospel Reading (Mt 5:13-16): “You are the light of the world.”

Today’s Gospel reading (Mt 5:13-16) presents the role of the disciples of Jesus using the images of salt and light. The biblical scholar, Daniel Harrington, gives a concise, but insightful explanation: “In Jesus’ time, salt was used not only to improve the taste of food but also to preserve meat and fish. When Jesus compares his followers to salt, he says that they improve the quality of human existence and preserve it from destruction. In Jesus’ time, the only lamps available were small dish-like devices in which oil was burned. By our standards these lamps did not give off much light, but in the time before electricity their light must have seemed very bright. When Jesus calls his disciples the light of the world, he says that their actions serve as a beacon of light in a dark world. The disciples are challenged to let their light shine as a witness to their fidelity to Jesus and his heavenly Father.”

Against this backdrop, I find the article of Robert Rodriguez on the De Alba Family, the co-parishioners of our PDDM Sisters in Fresno, very interesting (cf. The Fresno Bee, Dec. 25, 2004, p. A11). Remembering its roots in the fields, the family has fed farm workers in the central San Joaquin Valley for many years. It is their way of thanking them for their hard work in harvesting the region’s fruits and vegetables. It is also a reminder of how far this family of twelve has come from their own days of picking cherries, tomatoes and grapes in Valley fields and orchards. The De Alba Family also has held very successful canned-food drives for the poor and strongly supports St. Mary Queen of Apostles Church to which they belong. Rev. Pat McCormick, a former parish priest, testifies: “They have really been a unifying factor for the church. They are a great family.” Indeed, this wonderful De Alba family of Fresno is an inspiring example of what it means to be “the salt of the earth … the light of the world” in today’s world.

B. First Reading (I Kgs 17:7-16): “The jar of flour shall not go empty as the Lord had foretold through Elijah.”

The reading (I Kgs 17:7-16) narrates that the prophet Elijah obeys the word of the Lord and goes to Zarephath of Sidon. The Cherith Brook, where he used to drink, has dried up because of the lack of rain. God commands him to stay in Zarephath, assuring him that a widow will feed him there. The widow, who is preparing the last meal for herself and her son, gives Elijah water to drink and shares with him the little and the last resources she has. The prophet speaks to her the divine promise that the jar of flour and the jug of oil will not be empty until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth. Indeed, as the Lord has promised through Elijah, the flour and the oil are not depleted.

The miracle of the multiplication of the flour and oil underlines the power of God and the efficacy of his word. King Ahab’s sin brings suffering for the people of Israel. In contrast, Elijah’s fidelity to the word and the faith of the widow enable them to experience God’s providence and loving care. It is significant that the prophet lodges in Zarepahth of Sidon that is the territory of Baal, the god of Ahab’s ruthless wife Jezebel. In the perilous homeland of Baal and in the face of death-dealing situations, God preserves the life of the faithful and the “anawim”.

Like the generous widow of Zarephath, we too are called to share our resources and to be instruments of God’s providence. The following testimony gives insight into this (cf. Tim Anderson, “My Momma Always Knew” in Coutry, August-September 2013, p. 12).

When I was growing up in Nathalie, Virginia, everyone was friendly with the neighbors. And if someone was in need, it seemed that my Momma always knew. I especially remember a single mother who had cancer and no way to provide for her little daughter. So Momma, who was a great baker, got busy. She baked two cakes and decorated them beautifully.

There are two large country stores in town, and Momma asked permission to place one cake at each store. She raffled them off at 50 cents a chance. Now, you may not think that would add up to much, but there were 1,000 chances taken on those two cakes. Momma collected $500 for this mother and her child.

Momma and Daddy, the three sisters and I went down to where the woman lived, and Momma gave her the envelope of money. I still remember the happiness and gratitude that shone on her face. She and her daughter thanked Momma and hugged her, and we all had tears in our eyes.

Momma taught us many lessons at our country home and farm through the years. We learned that no matter how little anyone had, they could still help out a friend or a family in need. A little sometimes means a lot.

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

1. Are we “the salt of the earth … the light of the world”? Is the heavenly Father being glorified by our daily acts of Christian witnessing?

2. Are we afraid that the little we have is too “little” to share? Are we ready to trust and obey the word of God? Are we ready to be instruments of the divine providence?

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

Lord Jesus,

you call us to be “the salt of the earth … the light of the world”.

As “salt of the earth” and by the zest of our Christian witnessing,

we strive to uplift human dignity

and help our brothers and sisters relish the joy of salvation.

Moved by the Holy Spirit

to proclaim your saving love,

we wish to be “the light of the world … the city on the mountaintop”.

Amen.

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Loving and merciful Jesus,

make us instruments of God’s compassion.

Help us trust that “the jar of flour” and “the jug of oil”

will never be empty.

Give us the courage to share

especially when what we have is too little.

Grant us the grace to surrender

to the divine providence.

You live and reign, forever and ever.

Amen.

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world.” (Mt 5:13a, 14a) //“The jar of flour did not go empty.” (I Kgs 17:16)

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

By aiding the poor, the marginalized and the suffering members of the local and world community, strive to be “the salt of the earth … the light of the world”. // Do not be afraid to share with others the resources and talents you have, no matter how “little”.

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June 8, 2022: WEDNESDAY – WEEKDAY (10)

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Teaches Us the Meaning of the Law … He Shows that God Alone Is Our God”

BIBLE READINGS

I Kgs 18:20-39 // Mt 5:17-19

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

A. Gospel Reading (Mt 5:17-19): “I have come not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.”

(Gospel Reflection by Richard Noack, St. Christopher Parish, San Jose, CA-USA)

Sweating the Small Stuff in Faith: In his 1996 book, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff,” Psychologist Richard Carlson writes that we spend too much time, energy, and stress focused on minutiae. The “small” stuff, suggests Carlson, will take care of itself if only we focus on the big stuff, such as our lives, relationships, and families. But in today’s Gospel, Matthew 5:17-19, Jesus tells us that He has come as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, not to abolish them. Not only must we love God and follow Jesus, the “big” stuff from our Christian perspective, we must also abide by all of the law and prophets, to the smallest part of the smallest letter, careful not to break the least of these commandments. When it comes to our faith, it seems, we must sweat the “big” stuff and the “small” stuff.

Over time, we Christians have gradually marginalized many of the strict Jewish laws in Deuteronomy, as well as those given by the prophets, as “small” stuff. Some of those laws such as circumcision, dietary restrictions, and Sabbath observance, were viewed as anachronistic, often as an accommodation for the assimilation of non-Jewish converts. But that legacy of not sweating the “small” stuff extends to the present day. There are those in our communities who view some of our faith practices, disciplines, and doctrines as “small” stuff that need not be sweated, such as regular Sunday Mass attendance, appropriate and respectful attire while attending Mass, arriving on time for Mass and staying until the end of the closing hymn, participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, meatless Fridays during Lent, and respecting the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.

But these things aren’t “small” stuff. They are a part of who we are as a faith community and they define us as the People of God. As Catholic Christians, we consider our call to love God with our entire beings and to love our neighbors as ourselves to be our “big” stuff. Our faith practices, disciplines, and doctrines are signposts that point the way to the “big” stuff and that sustain, strengthen, support, nourish, guide, prepare, and affirm us along the Way.

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” (Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

B. First Reading (I Kgs 18:20-39): “Let it be known this day that you, Lord, are our God.”

The reading (I Kgs 18:20-39) highlights that the Lord alone is God and that Elijah is God’s faithful prophet. Today’s episode tells us that in the third year of drought, a showdown on Mount Carmel between the prophets of Baal and Elijah, the prophet of the Lord God occurs. In obedience to God’s prompting, Elijah encounters the idolatrous King Ahab and arranges with him a contest that will oblige the fickle Israelites to choose between Yahweh and the idol Baal. Through the miracle of fire from heaven (a “lightning”), the prophet of the Lord triumphs over the 450 prophets of Baal. The power of the Lord God is revealed and the authority of Elijah as God’s prophet is confirmed. The people thus assert their choice for the one true God over the “non-god” Baal. The false prophets are punished in accordance with the Dt 13:5 injunction: to put to death a prophet who teaches the people to rebel against the Lord and leads them astray from the life that God has commanded them to live.

The following article gives insight into marvelous works that the Lord God continues to carry out in today’s world through his modern day prophets and on their behalf (cf. “A Sign from Heaven” in Maryknoll, September/October 2015, p. 30-31).

As some 300,000 faithful crammed the Divine Savior of the World plaza in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, for the beatification of Archbishop Romero in May, the overcast sky suddenly opened and the sun appeared surrounded by a circular rainbow. For many, it was a sign from God. Maryknoll Father Roberto Rodriguez and Maryknoll Sister Norma Pocasangre, both Salvadorians, were present for the beatification liturgy concelebrated by 1,400 priests from around the world. Following are the two Maryknoll missioners’ reflections.

Roberto Rodriguez, M.M.: The beatification of Oscar Romero was beautiful, solemn and filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. A special blessing occurred right after Archbishop Romero was proclaimed “blessed in the altars of God” when a rainbow appeared around the sun in the sky overhead. People fell to their knees; others began to cry from emotion at seeing this sign from heavens. For me, it affirmed the correctness of recognizing the sanctity of Oscar Romero. He was a good-hearted, humble and simple man, a priest of profound faith and prayer, selfless in service of others. Romero fought for the poor and the most needy in my country during one of the darkest periods of her history. Oscar Romero is a martyr and a saint in the strictest Christian sense of these words. (…)

Norma Pocasangre, M.M.: There were people from all over the world, young and old and some in wheelchairs. I felt that God was saying, “It is not only in antiquity that I had such faithful followers, but in modern times too there are people like Romero and like you, who can be faithful servants.” The most moving part was when they read Pope Francis’ letter announcing Archbishop Romero as Blessed. Incredibly, a great halo appeared in the sky! The people stared, surprised at what I call confirmation that God was celebrating with us. (…) We have the archbishop as an example of service to God, especially among the most marginalized and forgotten people.

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

1. Do I strive to act in accordance with the spirit of love that animates the law and the prophets? Do I value and carry out the “small” stuff that leads to the “big” stuff?

2. Do we resolve to choose the Lord God over the false idols of today’s world? Like the prophet Elijah, do we trust that God will prove his holiness and will manifest his power and truth?

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

Loving Father,

you form us into a covenant people

through the law and the prophets.

Let your spirit of love animate us.

Help us to transcend the letter of the law

and to act by the love of the Spirit.

With Christ in the Spirit,

let us perceive the meaning of the law and the prophets

and lovingly fulfill it with devotion.

We bless and praise you, now and forever.

Amen.

***

O most powerful Lord,

you alone are God!

We resolve to renounce the false idols

that tantalize and seduce us.

Let your power and truth shine forth

and give us the courage to follow you

as the one true God.

We give you glory and praise, now and forever.

Amen.

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

“I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” (Mt 5:17) // “Let it be known this day that you are God.” (I Kgs 18:36)

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

Carry out your duties to God as well as the greater society, e.g. social service, paying taxes, etc., with personal dedication. // In your daily witnessing to truth and in your life of integrity, let is be known that our compassionate Lord is God.

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June 9, 2022: THURSDAY – WEEKDAY (10); SAINT EPHREM, Deacon, Doctor of the Church

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Teaches Us to Manage Anger … He Reveals the Power of the God of Creation”

BIBLE READINGS

I Kgs 18:41-46 // Mt 5:20-26

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

A. Gospel Reading (Mt 5:20-26): “Whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.”

(Gospel Reflection by Bong Tiotuico, ASSOCIATION OF PAULINE COOPERATORS- Friends of the Divine Master, Antipolo Unit, Philippines)

Anger, Hatred and Reconciliation: According to the Jews at the time of Jesus, righteousness is equated to one's ability to follow the law. Scholars of scripture describe the attitude of Jesus regarding the law. He rejects erroneous interpretations of the law while he holds firm to its original intent, i.e. the practice of a greater justice which is love. In this gospel, Jesus teaches a higher standard of adherence to the law that is more stringent than the "Thou shall not kill; whoever kills will be liable to judgment" commandment handed down through Moses.

Jesus denounces murderous anger and hatred as immoral. From this, the Church teaches, if anger reaches the point of a deliberate desire to kill or seriously wound a neighbor, it is gravely against charity although it is also praiseworthy to impose forms of restitution to correct vices and maintain justice. Yes, there is such a thing as righteous anger when we face oppression, greed, corruption and other forms of injustice. But most people are not righteously angry: most of the time they are "sinfully" angry. We experience deliberate hatred toward other human beings because of wounded pride. We want to get even from a perceived hurt.

Husband: When I get mad at you, you never fight back. How do you control your anger?

Wife: I clean the toilet.

Husband: How does that help?

Wife: I use your toothbrush.

We always need to teach the usual suspects a lesson they will never forget. Like when you get seriously angry with that colleague who, due to a misunderstanding, starts spreading lies behind your back. And there were moments when you secretly wished that neighbor down the corner bad fortune because you were simply envious of his brand new red Porsche.

From human experience we learn that anger, like sin, grows like a seed in our hearts, then becoming like a weed that chokes and displaces love, kindness, patience and other virtues, ultimately leaving no room for God. It is likewise compared to an acid which does more harm to the container in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. What is the antidote to these commonly occurring but overpowering feelings? Long before anger management therapy was invented, St. Paul (Eph. 4:31-34) advises, "Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another; be compassionate and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ." With our human weaknesses and limitations, how do we follow these prescriptions? With God's grace, nothing is impossible. We pray for patience, humility and for God to fill our hearts with love and forgiveness so we can better deal with that obnoxious next-door neighbor. In the same light, as they say in another part of the world: "If you are right, there is no need to be angry. If you are wrong, you have no right to be angry. Jesus tells us not only to reconcile with the subject of our anger but to do it without delay so that we can proceed to an authentic and perfect form of worship. Furthermore, to paraphrase St. James (Jas 1:19-20) "Let every person be quick to hear and listen, slow to speak, slow to anger like the heavenly Father, for anger does not fulfill God's justice."

B. First Reading (I Kgs 18:41-46): “Elijah prayed and the sky gave rain (Jas 5:18).”

In today’s episode (I Kgs 18:41-46) Elijah commands King Ahab to eat and drink in joyful anticipation of the coming rain. While the king nourishes himself, the prophet prays intensely on top of Mount Carmel, where his servant can look out over the Mediterranean and see the first approach of the rain-bearing clouds. At the seventh time, the servant reports a little cloud rising. In a little while the sky is covered with dark clouds, the wind begins to blow and a heavy rain begins to fall. Elijah commands Ahab to go to Jezreel by chariot, but the power of the Lord comes upon the prophet who runs and overtakes the chariot-riding king. Through the exploits of Elijah, the Lord God manifests that he is indeed the true God – the almighty Lord of creation who wields power over the land and the sky, the fire and the rain, the wind and the clouds, the animals and vegetation, and the people he has shaped from the dust of the earth.

Writing to the Christian community, Saint James presents Elijah as a figure of the power of prayer. Saint James comments: “The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect. Elijah was the same kind of person as we are. He prayed earnestly that there would be no rain and no rain fell on the land for three and half years. Once again he prayed and the sky poured out its rain and the earth produced its crops” (cf. James 5:18).

The following article gives insight into the humble stance and prayerful attitude that we should have as part of God’s beloved creation (cf. Mildred Wickson, “Life on the Land” in Country, June/July 2011, p. 56).

Ask a rancher or farmer why he continues in the face of endless adversity, and he’ll probably shift to the other foot as a slow, thoughtful smile creases his weathered face. Chances are he’s thinking of the wobbly calf or lamb he helped into the world only yesterday, or the velvety nose of his favorite mare as she nuzzles her greeting.

He knows the overwhelming peace that comes from watching the sun rise and set on his little domain, and the wonder of being part of God’s divine plan. He treasures the freedom to walk through a meadow of wild flowers, sit by the creek, daydream on the porch, or just rest on a bale of hay. He lives by his own clock, not someone else’s.

He remembers the thankfulness he feels as the rain falls right after a long dry spell, and the brilliance of a rainbow that arches across the sky as the clouds move on. Come bedtime, he’s in awe of the oversized moon that turns the night into a molten silver landscape.

His eyes light up proudly as he thinks of his wife, who is truly his helpmate in every way, and his children, who have gained maturity on the back of a horse and the seat of a tractor. Then there’s the parade of faithful pets that have been part of their lives over the years.

Ask a farmer or rancher why he keeps on keepin’ on, but don’t get your hopes up. Unless you’ve smelled the dampness of the soil or felt the kiss of a cool breeze on your face as it blows across your land, you really wouldn’t understand his answer anyway.

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

1. What do I do to manage my anger and to seek healing for sinful attitudes that lead to violence and acted-out anger?

2. Do I recognize the power of the compassionate God, the Lord of creation? Do I care for God’s beloved creation? How do I show my concern for drought-stricken land and the scarcity of water supply?

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

Lord Jesus,

heal us of sinful attitudes and unbridled emotions

that disturb our peace, harmony and dignity.

Give us the grace to pacify vengeful anger.

Let your Holy Spirit anoint the violent

with the balm of peace.

Give us the grace to choose God and life.

You live and reign, forever and ever.

Amen.

***

Loving God, Creator of heaven and earth,

we thank you for the gift of life

and the beauty of creation.

Make us good stewards of your creation

and to care responsibly for the earth.

You live and reign forever and ever.

Amen.

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

“Whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” (Mt 5:22) //“The hand of the Lord was on Elijah.” (I Kgs 18:46)

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

By putting greater trust in Jesus, meek and humble of heart, strive to manage anger whenever it surfaces from your heart. Be a peacemaker to the people around you. // Do what you can to promote good stewardship of God’s creation.

*** *** ***

June 10, 2022: FRIDAY – WEEKDAY (10)

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Teaches Integrity … He Gently Comforts Us”

BIBLE READINGS

I Kgs 19:9a, 11-16 // Mt 5:27-32

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

A. Gospel Reading (Mt 5:27-32): “Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

In today’s Gospel reading (Mt 5:27-32) Jesus continues to interpret the Law and the Prophets. He delves into the meaning of the command “Do not commit adultery” and asserts that as anger is at the root of murder, so lust lies at the root of adultery. It is not just the act of adultery that breaks the Law, but also thoughts and desires that lead to it. Deeply aware of our frail and fallen humanity, Jesus exhorts us to eliminate what corrupts our personal integrity and vitiates our covenant relationship with God. The salvation of the whole person is of more value than anything or anyone that could lead to sin. Lust is an “implicit” adultery that compromises our eternal beatitude with God. Divorce is a “legalized adultery” that militates against faithful husband-wife relationship, the basis of a healthy family life and society.

Lust leads to crime and death. Faith in God leads to life. The following article gives insight into how to embrace Jesus’ teaching on the total integrity of the person and our need to trust God who has covenanted himself to us (cf. “God Put Me Here To Do Great Things” in Alive! April 2014, p. 9).

An American Beauty queen has hit the headlines by revealing that she was conceived as a result of a violent rape. But strong in her faith and despite her far from promising start in life, Valerie Gatto is immensely grateful for her existence and believes that God has put her on earth “to do great things”. (…)

Gatto’s mother was a 19-year-old student when she was raped at knife-point. The assailant intended to murder her but was distracted by a strange bright flash of light. “He got scared and didn’t want any onlookers to see her and what he was doing to her.” This gave the young woman the opportunity to break free and escape. “I like to think of that light as my mother’s and my guardian angel”, said the beauty queen.

Some weeks later the assault victim realized that she was expecting the rapist’s child. She decided to keep her pregnancy a secret and to put her baby up for adoption when it was born. But after the birth her mother encouraged her to keep her baby daughter, explaining to her that “God does not give us more than we can handle.”

Relying on family support and on her strong faith, the young woman put aside her plans to attend law school so that she could mind her baby. It was a decision she never regretted. Gatto was told as a child about the assault on her mother but was able to deal with it thanks to her faith.

She explained: “I’ve always been a positive person, and I went to church all the time when I was little. I think it was more about having religion and Christianity a lot of my life. So I knew that God put me here for a reason and, although my circumstances weren’t the same as a traditional family with the perfect white-picket fence, he gave me to my family and my mother for a reason.” (…)

As Miss Pennsylvania 2014 she hopes to inspire people and to show them that “no matter where you come from, you can achieve your dreams. But you need to make sacrifices, work hard and stay positive.”

B. First Reading (I Kgs 19:9a, 11-16): “Stand on the mountain before the Lord.”

Today’s Old Testament reading (I Kgs 19:9a, 11-16) is fascinating. The Lord God manifests his saving presence to Elijah, a persecuted and fugitive prophet. Elijah is in full flight from the enraged Jezebel, the wife of Israel’s King Ahab. Queen Jezebel vows to kill Elijah for publicly embarrassing her and her pagan god Baal and for the killing of Baal’s prophets. The fearful, despondent Elijah escapes southward to Judah where he begs God to take his life. An angel of God appears to nourish and protect him. Just as the Israelites wandered forty years in the desert, Elijah journeys through the desert forty days and forty nights toward Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai, the place where Moses had an intimate encounter with God and where the covenant with the Israelites was sealed). The Lord God reveals his loving presence to the beleaguered prophet, not in the fiery manifestation of heavy winds, earthquake or fire, but in a “tiny whispering sound” – in the soft voice of a gentle breeze. The perils and dangers of his prophetic vocation seem less foreboding and menacing in the context of the gentle and reassuring presence of God. Indeed, the soft whisper of the almighty God is more powerful than the ferocious threats of wicked Jezebel. The saving God, who called Elijah to proclaim his word, energizes him anew for his prophetic ministry.

The gentle comfort that Elijah experienced from the loving God evokes the various memories of goodness and kindness in daily life (cf. “Whew, It’s Hot!” in Country, June/July 2011, p. 14-15).

“Exhaustion Almondine” by Charlotte Huenergardt: Years ago we lived on a 20-acre farm in Ceres, California, with 15 acres planted in almonds. At harvest time, machines swept and blew the almonds into rows. It got most of them, but there were always plenty of stray nuts for us to rake and shovel into rows for the machines to pick up. And temperatures often exceeded 100 degrees! After one particular day of raking and shoveling, my husband and I were so hot and tired we could hardly move. Filthy from head to toe, we grabbed a foam rubber mattress and an old sheet and collapsed on the patio in exhaustion. Our daughter brought us drinks while we cooled off in the shade.

“Sip and Smile” by Kathy Smith: It took a lot of hay to fuel our 100-acre Wisconsin dairy farm, and even with 12 of us, haying still took several weeks of long, hard days. What I remember most is when dad called a break and we’d gather under a shade tree for a drink of Coca-Cola. Two would share a bottle, carefully making sure each got the same amount. It tasted like pure heaven going down our dusty throats. This was such a special treat that I’ll remember it always. Soda has never tasted as good as it did then.

“Sheets to the Wind” by Norma Cook: In the 1930s, when I was a child in hot, dry, dusty western Kansas, we did as everyone else around us did and opened windows for cross ventilation to cool our old farmhouse. But when the south wind got hot enough to make us miserable by lunchtime, Mother pulled a trick from her sleeve. She pinned bed sheets to the curtain rods, then sprinkled water from a pan to dampen the sheets. We cooled off in no time with the wind blowing through those wet bed sheets. I thought that it was magic, and that Mother was the smartest woman in the world!

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

1. Do we endeavor to be chaste and to promote the dignity of our human person? Do we reject any form of “adultery” within us and outside us?

2. Do we savor God’s gift of “gentle silence”? Do we perceive his gentle presence within us and about us?

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

Jesus Lord,

we thank you for teaching us integrity of heart

and faith in God who has bound himself to us

in covenant love.

Help us to perceive your gentle presence everywhere.

Give us the grace to extend your loving comfort to others.

You live and reign, forever and ever.

Amen.

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the day. Please memorize it.

“If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out …” (Mt 5: 29) //“There was tiny whispering sound.” (I Kgs 19:12)

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

Pray for all those in adulterous situations that God may give them the grace to follow his saving will. // Spend some time in quiet adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and savor his gentle but real presence.

*** *** ***

June 11, 2022: SATURDAY – SAINT BARNABAS, Apostle

“JESUS SAVIOR: He Teaches Us to Be Truthful … He Sets Apart Barnabas and Saul for a Specific Mission”

BIBLE READINGS

Acts 11:21b-26 // Mt 5:33-37

I. BIBLICO-LITURGICAL REFLECTIONS: A Pastoral Tool for the LECTIO

A. Gospel Reading (Mt 5:33-37): “I say to you do not swear at all.”

In today’s Gospel (Mt 5:33-37), Jesus teaches us that truthfulness is assured by the inner integrity of the person. The biblical scholar Adrian Leske comments on the reading: “The practice of making oaths or vows had become so commonplace by the time of Jesus that the rabbis spent much time discussing valid and invalid forms. Originally oaths were made before the altar in the presence of God, when the truth of a matter could not be substantiated, by witnesses or documents. Included in such an oath was the invoking of a curse if the oath was false. Later in order not to take the name of God in vain it became a practice to use circumlocutions for God’s name, and even beyond that, in popular practice, to swear by anything of value. Jesus points out that no matter how one words that oath, it is still an oath before God … Those who belong to the kingdom will speak in sincerity and faithfulness, so their simple yes and no can be accepted as trustworthy before God and people. While oath-taking today may be required by courts and other institutions, the essential point here is speaking with utter honesty and sincerity.”

The following story gives insight into the value of a man’s word – if he is a person of integrity (cf. Iris Deurmyer, “Let’s Shake on It” in Country, April/May 2014, p. 51).

On a spring day when I was 6, I rode to town with Uncle Art to buy seed for planting gardens and fields and get feed for the calves. As a young girl growing up in the heartland, I found a special joy spending time with him. As we traveled in the pickup truck, Uncle Art made up silly rhymes and we sang them together. He patiently taught me to say the ABCs backward.

After loading supplies at the feed store, Uncle Art visited with the owner outside and then pointed at the truck. “I forgot to sign for this”, he said. The owner said, “Arthur, let’s shake on it. Your handshake is worth more than most men’s signatures.”

Later, I asked him what the owner had meant. Uncle Art explained that if a man gave his word, it should be dependable as money in the bank. He said a trustworthy man’s handshake was like an unwritten promise to keep his word.

In the half century since that day, I’ve reflected on Uncle Art’s words and his reputation. I can still picture that handshake; it’s a permanent reminder that the word should be as good as money in the bank. Oh, and one other thing has stuck with me. I can still rattle off the alphabet backwards.

B. First Reading (Acts 11:21b-26): “Barnabas was a good man, filled with the Spirit and with faith.”

Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Barnabas, apostle. Born in Cyprus and named Joseph, he was converted shortly after Pentecost. He gave up all his possessions and was nicknamed Barnabas (“Son of Consolation”) because of his helpful, optimistic nature. In today’s reading (Acts 11:21b-26), he is described in glowing terms as “a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith”. Sent by the mother Church in Jerusalem to Antioch to verify the phenomenon of conversion there, he is true to his optimistic nature. He sees the grace of God at work in this nascent Church of Antioch. He rejoices and encourages them to remain faithful to the Lord. He brings many people to the Lord. He even goes to Tarsus to look for Saul to help him teach and nourish the fledging Christian community in Antioch. Together with Saul of Tarsus, Joseph Barnabas of Cyprus is chosen by the Holy Spirit for a special missionary journey to proclaim the Gospel to the nations.

Saint Barnabas is faithful to his apostolic mandate even unto death. The following, circulated on the Internet, is an account of his martyrdom.

Church tradition developed outside of the canon of the New Testament describes the martyrdom of many saints, including the legend of the martyrdom of Barnabas. It relates that certain Jews coming to Syria and Salamis, where Barnabas was then preaching the gospel, being highly exasperated at his extraordinary success, fell upon him as he was disputing in the synagogue, dragged him out, and, after the most inhumane tortures, stoned him to death. His kinsman, John Mark, who was a spectator of this barbarous action, privately interred his body.

According to the History of the Cyprus Church, in 478 Barnabas appeared in a dream to the Archbishop of Constantia (Salamis, Cyprus) Anthemios and revealed to him the place of his sepulcher beneath a carob tree. The following day Anthemios found the tomb and inside it the remains of Barnabas with a manuscript of Matthew's Gospel on his breast. Anthemios presented the Gospel to Zeno at Constantinople and received from him the privileges of the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, that is, the purple cloak which the Greek Archbishop of Cyprus wears at festivals of the church, the imperial scepter and the red ink with which he affixes his signature.

Anthemios then placed the venerable remains of Barnabas in a church which he founded near the tomb. Excavations near the site of a present day church and monastery have revealed an early church with two empty tombs, believed to be that of St. Barnabas and Anthemios. St. Barnabas is venerated as the Patron Saint of Cyprus.

II. POINTS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE HEART: A Pastoral Tool for the MEDITATIO

1. Am I trustworthy? Do my words have integrity?

2. Am I willing to follow Christ unconditionally? Do we believe that like Saint Barnabas and Saint Paul, we too have been set apart for a special mission in the Church? How does Saint Barnabas, described as “a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith”, inspire us?

III. PRAYING WITH THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the ORATIO

O Lord Jesus,

you called me.

Help me to say “yes” and to follow you with integrity.

Make me a servant of your word

and make me trustworthy.

You live and reign, forever and ever.

Amen.

*** *** ***

(Cf. Opening Prayer – Mass of the Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle)

God the Father,

you filled Saint Barnabas with faith and the Holy Spirit

and sent him to convert the nations.

Help us to proclaim the Gospel by word and deed.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

IV. INTERIORIZATION OF THE WORD: A Pastoral Tool for the CONTEMPLATIO

The following is the bread of the living Word that will nourish us throughout the week. Please memorize it.

“Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes’.” (Mt 5:37) //“Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)

V. TOWARDS LIFE TRANSFORMATION: A Pastoral Tool for the ACTIO

Resolve to be faithful to the demands of Christian discipleship. Make every effort to be honest and truthful. // Spend some quiet moments before the Blessed Sacrament to thank God for the Church in mission, as exemplified by the work of Saint Barnabas and Saint Paul. Do what you can to promote priestly and religious vocations in today’s world. Pray for the Barnabite missionaries that they may have a more efficacious ministry.

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