Breaking the Word

10^th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 12^th June 2024 – 1 Kgs 18,20-39; Mt 5,17-19

Response to Simple Prayer

In the first reading, we read the dramatic challenge Elijah made at Mount Carmel to the worshippers of Baal and to his own idolatrous fellow Israelites. Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal as they were unable to call down fire from heaven upon the sacrifice they prepared. In contrast to the complicated prayer and frenzied actions of the prophets of Baal, Elijah’s prayer is very simple. He recalls God’s covenant faithfulness to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. By this prayer, Elijah recognizes that the Lord God acts in history and cares for his people, who have entered into a covenant. Second, Elijah says that he has served the Lord faithfully and done everything according to his word. In this case, he did exactly as the Lord commanded during the famine and now confronts the king about the false prophets. Thirdly, Elijah asks God to answer his prayer so that the people of Israel may know him as the true God and may turn their hearts back to him. He is not seeking his own glory, but only that of the Lord God. Finally, God answers his prayer and heavenly fire consumes the sacrifice and licks up the water.

Barnabas, the Apostle, Tuesday – 11^th June 2024 – Acts 11,21-26; 13,1-3; Mt 5,13-16

Endured as Son of Encouragement

The first reading gives us an account of the call and ministry of Barnabas. His real name was Joseph and “Barnabas” was a nickname (Acts 4,36) given by the Apostles, means “son of encouragement”. True to his name, he encourages the Jerusalem Christians to welcome their former persecutor, Saul who became Paul (9,26-27). Later he ministered with Paul to nurture the first community comprised of both Jews and Gentiles in Antioch (11,22-26). Barnabas and Paul brought a famine relief collection from Antioch to the church in Jerusalem (11,30). They were also commissioned by the Church in Antioch to go on their first missionary journey throughout southern Asia Minor. They worked together up to the Council in Jerusalem in 49 AD. After the council, they went on separate missionary journeys due to a disagreement about taking John Mark with them. Paul continued with Silas while Barnabas went with Mark to their native Cyprus in their second missionary journeys. Tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred in Salamis in Cyprus. After the twelve and Paul, Barnabas is one of the most esteemed figures among the first generation of Christians. Luke speaks of Barnabas with affection saying “he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11,24). Barnabas is remembered not only for his missionary zeal but for his openness, even though a Jew, to the Gentiles and for seeing the former fanatical Pharisee, Saul, the potential to be a great apostle for Christ and the Gospel.