11 June, 2024 | Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

 ACTS 11:21B-26; 13:1-3

Gospel Mt 10:7-13

Jesus said to the Twelve:

"As you go, make this proclamation:

'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.

Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;

no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,

or sandals, or walking stick.

The laborer deserves his keep.

Whatever town or village you enter,

look for a worthy person in it,

and stay there until you leave.

As you enter a house, wish it peace.

If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it;

if not, let your peace return to you."

OR OF THE DAY 

Gospel Mt 5:13-16

Jesus said to his disciples:

“You are the salt of the earth.

But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?

It is no longer good for anything

but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

You are the light of the world.

A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;

it is set on a lampstand,

where it gives light to all in the house.

Just so, your light must shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your heavenly Father.”

Reflections:

Each time we have our meal, we are reminded of how invaluable a few crystals of salt are for the taste of the food.  So also, waking up in the middle of the night and switching on the torch, tells us just how important a few rays of light become for our path.

We can take them as practical knowledge   for self-help or self-improvement.  Yet, Jesus adds possibly the most important reason for being the salt and the light – which is to glorify God who created us.  He says clearly that our good deeds must glorify God.  This is the spiritual upliftment from the salt and light experience.  We do not stop at just the mundane potential of becoming useful for someone or for society at large, but we also must ensure that our deeds are correct and pleasing to God. 

Activity:  

Make a thanksgiving offering to God for those situations where-in you became the salt or the light.