SAINT BARNABAS
Apostle

Barnabas was one of the 72 disciples called by Jesus. Because Barnabas was innately good and "full of the Holy Spirit," he was much esteemed by the Twelve Apostles. They sent him to Antioch and there the greathearted Barnabas invited Paul, the former persecutor of God's elect, to be his co-worker. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the clergy of Antioch dedicated Barnabas and Paul to the work of converting the Gentiles. The two pioneers labored together for a number of years on the island of Cyprus and in Asia Minor. According to an old tradition, the lovable Barnabas later died a martyr on Cyprus, his native land.

ENTRANCE HYMN Ps. 138:17
Your friends are greatly honored by me, O God; their pre-eminence is definitely established.
Ps. 138:1, 2. O Lord, You have proved me and You know me; You know when I sit and when I stand.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O God, we are made happy by the merits and intercession of Your blessed apostle Barnabas. May the prayers we offer through him bring us the gift of Your grace. Through our Lord . . .

READING Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3
In those days, a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

GRADUAL Ps. 18:5, 2
Their voice has gone forth through all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
V. The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.

Alleluia, alleluia! V. John 15:16
I have chosen you out of the world that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit shall remain. Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 10:16-22
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."

OFFERTORY HYMN Ps. 44:17-18
You shall make them princes through all the land; they shall remember Your name in every generation and age.

SECRET PRAYER
Bless these gifts we offer You, O Lord. May they cleanse us from the stain of sin through the prayers of Your blessed apostle Barnabas. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION HYMN Matt. 19:28
You who have followed Me shall sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
Almighty God, we humbly ask that those who are nourished with Your Sacrament may by the intercession of blessed Barnabas, Your apostle, have a life of worthy service pleasing to You. Through our Lord . . .