June 11, 2004, Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

In those days, a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem,

and they sent Barnabas to go 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.

And a large number of people was added to the Lord. Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,

and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year, they met with the church

and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that 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,

Menean, who was a close friend of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit was a close friend of Herod the Tetrarch and Saul.

While they were worshipping 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, completing their fasting and prayer,

they laid hands on them and sent them off.

The Word of the Lord The Responsorial Psalm.

The response is,

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds. His right hand

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