The Collect for the Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle:
“O God, who decreed that Saint Barnabas, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, should be set apart to convert the nations, grant that the Gospel of Christ, which he strenuously preached, may be faithfully proclaimed by word and by deed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”
Reflection
St. Barnabas is mentioned in Scripture in the Acts of the Apostles as well as in some of St. Paul’s letters. He worked and traveled with St. Paul in spreading the Gospel, which is why he is given the title “apostle,” even though he isn’t one the strict sense. For our prayer, we recognize that Barnabas’ apostolic work was an answer to God’s call and made possible by the Holy Spirit. Then, we ask simply that the Gospel continue to be spread by people of integrity; that is, people who proclaim it “by word and by deed.”
So, for your daily contribution to the Church’s collection of prayer,
Contemplate how well you spread the Gospel. You may not be called to spread it by traveling around the world like St. Barnabas, but your words and actions should still proclaim it. Pray for the grace to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in serving the only mission that matters: the salvation of souls. Then spiritually unite that prayer to all the Masses throughout the world today. That way, when the priest says “Let us pray,” you can be a part of that “us” even if you don’t get to attend Mass.
N.B. June 11 is also the anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. Praise be to God! Please say a few prayers on my behalf, if you don’t mind.