Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Official Translation

Reading 1 – Acts 11.21b-26; 13.1-3

In those days,
a great number believed
and turned to the Lord.
The report concerning them
came to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem.
They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,
When he had arrived and seen the grace of God,
he was glad.
He exhorted them all,
that with firmness of heart
they should remain near to the Lord.
For he was a good man,
and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,
and many people were added to the Lord.

Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
When he had found him,
he brought him to Antioch.
For a whole year they were
gathered together with the assembly,
and taught many people.

It was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.

Now in the Church at Antioch
there were some prophets and teachers:
Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen the foster brother
of Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul.
As they served the Lord and fasted,
the Holy Spirit said,
“Separate Barnabas and Saul for me,
for the work to which I have called them.”
Then, when they had fasted and prayed
and laid their hands on them,
they sent them away.

Responsorial – Psalm 98.1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6 Resp. 2b

R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.

Sing to the Lord a new song,
because he has done wonderful things.
His right hand has saved,
and his holy arm.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.

The Lord has made known his salvation.
he has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his mercy and his fidelity
toward the house of Israel.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to God, all the earth;
make melody, rejoice and sing.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.

Sing praise to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the melodious voice.
With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn,
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation in the sight of the nations.

Gospel – Matthew 5.1-12

Jesus, seeing the crowds, went up on the mountain,
and when he sat down, his disciples came to him,
and opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the land.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for the sake of justice,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you
and speak all that is evil against you, falsely, because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward in heaven is great.
So also they persecuted the prophets before you.”