St Barnabas, apostle, Memorial<\/p>\n
\u2018Come, before the Lord, singing for joy.\u2019 (Invitatory antiphon).<\/p>\n
During the time of Covid-19, good news was\/is not in scarce supply. The good news from the final \u2018Late Late Show\u2019 of the year, hosted by Ryan Tubridy informed its viewers that donations to Irish charitable causes amounted to over \u20ac6 million since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a proud and humbling moment for the presenter, as he thanked everyone. The generosity of many individuals will help charities, including, The Society of St Vincent De Paul, Pieta, The Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Irish Cancer Foundation,\u00a0 Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice and the Capuchin Day Centre.<\/p>\n
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St Barnabas. He was born on the island of Cyprus. Barnabas, the apostle was sent to proclaim the Good News to the people of Antioch, though not in monetary terms, as in the \u2018Late Late Show\u2019 but in the Good News of the person of Jesus.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s readings from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3) and the Gospel (Mt 10:7-13) are proclaimed at Mass via the webcam or read from the New Testament.<\/p>\n
When Barnabas was sent to Antioch he rejoiced at what he saw and heard. It was here at \u2018Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians\u2019. The Good News of the Lord Jesus was spreading there and \u2018a great number believed and turned to the Lord.\u2019\u00a0 He encouraged those he met and \u2018urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the Lord.\u2019 Barnabas was \u2018a good man filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith.\u2019\u00a0 Because of this, \u2018large crowds came to know the Lord.\u2019<\/p>\n
The Gospel tells of Jesus sending out the twelve apostles. He instructs them on the way to go. He said to proclaim the Good News that \u2018The kingdom of heaven is near.\u2019 He instructed them to \u2018heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers and drive out demons.\u2019 Jesus tells them that they received without charge and they must give without charge. All the disciples receive from God is always gift.<\/p>\n
SEEK GOD\u2019S LOVE IN THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME<\/p>\n
The themes of the readings are woven through the Grow in Love programme. From their earliest years in school the children are introduced to the twelve apostles.<\/p>\n
They do not meet the apostle St Barnabas as one of the twelve apostles in the Grow in Love programme. Children recall that apostles and disciples are called by God to share the Good News of God\u2019s love. They recognise that God\u2019s love is inclusive, unconditional and everlasting. God sent Jesus who promises to remain with those who believe \u2018until the end of time.\u2019 The Holy Spirit helps the disciples in their mission.<\/p>\n
The children recognise in the first reading that Barnabas rejoiced when he heard that the Good News was spreading; and that a great number believed and returned to the Lord. Children identify as they mature that it takes personal effort to remain in relationship and faithful to God. They learn that to pray is to communicate with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They identify that it is not their love for God that is important; it is God\u2019s love for them, because God is love. God will help them to grow in love and to live justly.<\/p>\n
The children might be prompted to see how Barnabas went in search of Saul and brought him to Antioch to work with him. They worked together with the Church and instructed many people.<\/p>\n
Likewise when Jesus sent out the apostles, he sent them out in pairs. The Church holds the same principle today. Members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul work in pairs or small groups, as also do members of the Legion of Mary and other associations.<\/p>\n
God sent Jesus so people might know of God\u2019s love. Jesus taught and witnessed to God\u2019s love. Children are taught that in receiving the sacraments that they meet the risen Jesus. Nourished by the Eucharist and the Word, they participate in the mission of Jesus and share the Good News.<\/p>\n
Barnabas was a good man filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. He was a good role model for those he encountered. Children are taught that they also receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism and the gift of faith. Children pray to the Holy Spirit so they can come to know the Lord Jesus and his will for them. They identify good role models in society who strive to live lives of holiness.<\/p>\n
The children are taught about the Kingdom of Heaven as they read the parables. They learn what Jesus said, \u2018The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed\u2026the yeast in the dough\u2026 the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price\u2019. They learn that the Kingdom of Heaven is not a place but the reality of where and how we live in the world in imitation of Jesus.<\/p>\n
Children might read the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven given to those who strive to live according to Jesus\u2019 teaching on the Beatitudes (Mt 5:1-13).<\/p>\n
Resources on the VERITAS website are available to support the teaching of Jesus on love, discipleship and the Parables.<\/p>\n
Logon: www.veritas.ie<\/p>\n
Email: trial@growinlove.ie<\/p>\n
Password: growinlove<\/p>\n
INVITATION TO:<\/p>\n
READ from Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/p>\n
\u2018The Parable of the Mustard Seed\u2019 (Lk 13:18-19), \u2018The Parable of the Yeast\u2019 (Mt 13:33), \u2018The Parable of the Hidden Treasure\u2019 (Mt 13: 44), \u2018The Parable of the Pearl\u2019 (Mt 13:45-46), \u2018The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard\u2019 (Mt 20:1-16), \u2018Parable of the Three Servants\u2019 (Mt 25:14-29), Parable of the Unforgiving Servant\u2019 (Mt 18:21-35).<\/p>\n
SING from Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9:<\/p>\n
\u2018Our God is an Awesome God\u2019, \u2018Go Tell Everyone\u2019, \u2018Whatsoever You Do\u2019, \u2018Beginning Today\u2019, \u2018God is ready to Forgive\u2019, \u2018City of God\u2019.<\/p>\n
PRAY with Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9<\/p>\n
From the Beatitudes (Mt 5:1-13)<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2026 Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor;<\/p>\n
The kingdom of heaven belongs to them\u2026.<\/p>\n
Happy are those who are persecuted because they do<\/p>\n
what God requires;<\/p>\n
the Kingdom of God belongs to them.\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u2018Give your people knowledge of salvation, Lord, and forgive us our sins.\u2019 (Benedictus antiphon).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u2018The Lord has satisfied and filled with good things, those who hungered for justice.\u2019 (Magnificat antiphon).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u2018The Lord has made known his salvation, to the nations.\u2019 (Psalm 15:1).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u2018Jesus took up the biblical faith in God the Creator, emphasizing a fundamental truth: God is Father (cf. Mt 11:25). In talking with his disciples, Jesus would invite them to recognize the paternal relationship God has with all his creatures. With moving tenderness he would remind them that each one of them is important in God\u2019s eyes: \u201cAre not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God\u201d (Lk 12:6). \u201cLook at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them\u201d (Mt 6:26). (Laudato Si\u2019, no.96).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
St Barnabas, please pray for us.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
‘O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.’<\/p>\n
Sr Anne Neylon<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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