We are called to be a Barnabas

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Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle, 11 June 2026
Acts 11:21-26;13:1-3     <*{{{{><  +  ><}}}}*>     Matthew 10:7-13

Thank you,
Lord Jesus for gift 
of being called and sent 
as your apostle like the Twelve
in today's gospel;
your call and sending
continued after your Ascension 
up to these days as we celebrate
the memorial of your St. Barnabas
whose name means "son of encouragement";
teach us to be like him
filled with the Holy Spirit
and faith in God,
searching for those in the worst
situations in life like Saul at that
time who was so ashamed
to join the disciples because of
his sinful past;
like Barnabas,
may we encourage others
to hope and look forward
to better days in you,
Christ Jesus,
to trust in your mercy and
forgiveness,
to take every moment a chance
to be converted;
how sad that in this world
of a global village interconnected
by the internet, 
more and more are getting discouraged
than encouraged in life 
as the social media tend to present
more of the dark, dismal side of life
than its brighter and colorful 
and joyful realities found in you, 
Lord who is the kingdom of God
right in our midst.

… and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith… Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch (Acts 11:22-24, 25-26).

We pray, 
dear Jesus
that you send us 
more "Barnabas"
or make us a "Barnabas"
who rejoiced upon seeing 
your followers in Antioch
whom you sent to Antioch
where they were first called
Christians; give us the courage
like what Barnabas and Paul
have when you have them
set apart for a special mission;
may we grow
and move in your Spirit, 
Lord Jesus Christ,
moving with you
and moving to you,
to follow your movement away
from others we have been
comfortable with
in order to move where
we may experience discomfort
and be dislocated for the sake
of your kingdom.
Amen.