2017
#PopeFrancis "Jesus manifested to us the face of God, One in essence and Triune in Persons; God is altogether and only Love..." Trinity Angelus - FULL TEXT + Video
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!
The biblical Readings this Sunday, feast of the Most Holy Trinity, help us to enter the mystery of God’s identity. The Second Letter presents the words of greeting that Saint Paul addresses to the community of Corinth: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:13). This — let’s say — “blessing” of the Apostle is the fruit of his personal experience of God’s love, that love that the Risen Christ revealed to him, which transformed his life and “drove” him to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. From this experience of grace, Paul was able to exhort the Christians with these words: “Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace” (v. 11). The Christian community, despite all its human limitations, can become a reflection of the communion of the Trinity, of its goodness and beauty. However this — as Paul himself attests — passes necessarily through the experience of God’s mercy, of His forgiveness.
It is what happened to the Jews on the way of the exodus. When the people broke the Covenant, God appeared to Moses in the cloud to renew that pact, proclaiming His Name and its meaning. He says thus: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). This Name expresses that God is not far away and closed in Himself, but He is Life that wills to communicate itself, He is openness, He is Love that rescues man from infidelity. God is “merciful,” “compassionate,” and “rich in grace” because He offers Himself to us to fill our limitations and our failings, to forgive our errors, to bring us back to the way of justice and of truth. This revelation of God reached it fulfilment in the New Testament, thanks to the work of Christ and His mission of salvation. Jesus manifested to us the face of God, One in essence and Triune in Persons; God is altogether and only Love, in a subsistent relationship that creates, redeems and sanctifies all: Father and Son and Holy Spirit.
And today’s Gospel “puts” Nicodemus “in the scene,” who, although occupying an important post in the religious and civil community of the time, never stopped seeking God. He did not think: “I’ve arrived,” he did not cease to seek God; and now he perceived the echo of his voice in Jesus. In the dialogue at night with the Nazarene, Nicodemus finally understands he has already been sought and awaited by God, has been personally loved by Him. God always seeks us first, waits for us first, loves us first. He is like the flower of the almond tree; so says the Prophet: “It flowers first” (Cf. Jeremiah 1:11-12). In fact, that is how Jesus speaks to him: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). What is this eternal life? It is the unbounded and free love of the Father that Jesus gave on the cross, offering His life for our salvation. And, with the action of the Holy Spirit, this love has radiated a new light on earth and in every human heart that receives it — a light that reveals the dark corners, the hardness that impedes bearing the good fruits of charity and of mercy.
May the Virgin Mary help us to enter ever more, with all our being, in the Trinitarian Communion, to live and witness the love that gives meaning to our existence.
[Original text: Italian] [Translation by Virginia M. Forrester]
*
After the Angelus
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Itala Mela was proclaimed Blessed yesterday at La Spezia. She grew up in a family that was far from the faith. In her youth she professed herself atheist, however, she converted following an intense spiritual experience. She was committed among Catholic University students; then she became a Benedictine Oblate and undertook a mystical journey focused on the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, which we celebrate today in a special way. May the testimony of the new Blessed encourage us, during our days, to turn our thought often to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who dwells in the cell of our heart.
I greet you all, dear Romans and pilgrims: parish groups, families, Associations. In particular I greet the faithful from Montpellier, Corsica and Malta; and, from Italy the faithful of Padua and Norbello, and the youngsters of Sassuolo.
A special thought goes to the Bolivian community that lives in Rome and is celebrating the Virgin of Copacabana.
I wish you all a good Sunday. And please, do not forget to pray for me. Have a good lunch and see you soon}
[Original text: Italian] [ZENIT -Translation by Virginia M. Forrester]
#Novena to the Most Holy Trinity and Litany #Prayers to SHARE #HolyTrinity
The Litany of the Most Holy TrinityFor Private Use Only.Blessed be the holy Trinity and undivided Unity; We will give glory to Him, because He hath shown His mercy to us.V. O Lord our Lord, how wonderful is Thy Name in all the earth! R. O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God!Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Blessed Trinity, hear us. Adorable Unity, graciously hear us.God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, etc. Holy Trinity, One God, Father from Whom are all things, Son through Whom are all things, Holy Ghost in Whom are all things, Holy and undivided Trinity, Father everlasting, Only-begotten Son of the Father, Spirit Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Co-eternal Majesty of Three Divine Persons, Father, the Creator, Son, the Redeemer, Holy Ghost, the Comforter, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, Who art, Who wast, and Who art to come, God Most High, Who inhabitest eternity, To Whom alone are due all honor and glory, Who alone doest great wonders, Power infinite, Wisdom incomprehensible, Love unspeakable,Be merciful, Spare us, O Holy Trinity. Be merciful, Graciously hear us, O Holy Trinity.From all evil, Deliver us, O Holy Trinity. From all sin, Deliver us, O Holy Trinity. From all pride, etc. From all love of riches, From all uncleanness, From all sloth, From all inordinate affection, From all envy and malice, From all anger and impatience, From every thought, word, and deed contrary to Thy holy law, From Thine everlasting malediction, Through Thine almighty power, Through Thy plenteous loving kindness, Through the exceeding treasure of Thy goodness and love, Through the depths of Thy wisdom and knowledge, Through all Thy unspeakable perfections, We sinners Beseech Thee, hear us.That we may ever serve Thee alone, We beseech Thee, hear us. That we may worship Thee in spirit and in truth, We beseech Thee, hear us. That we may love Thee with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength, etc. That, for Thy sake, we may love our neighbor as ourselves, That we may faithfully keep Thy holy commandments, That we may never defile our bodies and souls with sin, That we may go from grace to grace, and from virtue to virtue, That we may finally enjoy the sight of Thee in glory, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to hear us,O Blessed Trinity, We beseech Thee, deliver us. O Blessed Trinity, We beseech Thee, save us. O Blessed Trinity, Have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy, Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.Our Father [silently]. Hail Mary [silently].V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of Heaven, R. And worthy to be praised, and glorious, and highly exalted forever.Let Us Pray. Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast granted Thy servants in the confession of the True Faith, to acknowledge the glory of an Eternal Trinity, and in the power of Thy majesty to adore a Unity: we beseech Thee that by the strength of this faith we may be defended from all adversity. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.Litany from Catholic TraditionNOVENA to the Most Holy Trinity( Say for 9 days - Each day Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and 1 Glory Be)God Eternal Father, bless me through the love with which You have begotten Your only Son from all eternity and shared with Him the fullness of Your Divinity. Bless me through the love which has adopted us as children, and made us partakers of the treasures of Your Divinity. Bless me through the love which sent us Your Son and the Holy Spirit to work the miracles of Your power and mercy in us. Grant that I may always revere and honor You as my great God, and love You with my whole heart as the best of fathers. Eternal Father, grant my petition:(Mention your request)God Eternal Son, image of the splendor of the Father, bless me through the love with which You surround us, Your poor creatures. You have become our Brother according to the flesh to make us Your brothers according to Your Divinity, and an image of Your splendor. Bless me through the marvelous goodness of Your Sacred Heart which chose death to bring us life. Bless me through the love with which You plead for us before the throne of God, in the Blessed Sacrament, and with which You give Yourself to us in Holy Communion. Grant that all this love and bitter pain may not be lost on me. Eternal Son, grant my petition:(Mention your request)God Holy Spirit, mutual Love of the Father and the Son, bless me through the love with which You proceed from the Father and the Son and unite Them in eternal unity. Bless me through the love with which You give Yourself to us as our greatest Gift, dispensing Your Divine graces to us and transforming sinners into children of God. Bless me through the love with which You dwell in the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through Whose merits the earth is filled with grace, and made a dwelling place for the God of heaven. Grant that I, Your faithful servant, may always allow You to lead me so I may advance in virtue and reach eternal happiness. Eternal Holy Spirit, grant my petition:(Mention your request)Most Holy Trinity, Godhead indivisible, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, our first beginning and our last end, You have made us after Your own image and likeness. Grant that all the thoughts of my mind, all the words of my mouth, all the affections of my heart, and all my actions be always conformed to Your holy Will. After having seen You here below in Your manifestations and by faith, may I come at last to see You face to face in the perfect possession of You forever in heaven. Amen.Prayer: Almighty and Everlasting God, by the profession of the true faith, You have given us, Your servants, grace to acknowledge the glory of the Eternal Trinity, and in the power of Your Divine Majesty to worship the Unity. We beg You to grant that, by our fidelity in this same faith, we may always be defended from all dangers. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.Novena from American Needs FatimaChaplet from IbreviaryCHAPLET OF THE HOLY TRINITY+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. V. Lord, open my lips. R. And my mouth will proclaim your praise. V. God, come to my assistance. R. Lord, make haste to help me. V. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, R. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. The decade below is recited three times, once for each member of the Trinity. All: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. The following is repeated nine times: V. O Blessed Trinity, to you be praise, and glory, and thanksgiving, for ever and ever! R. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. After the ninth time is said: V. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, R. As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. After the three decades: With all our heart and voice we acknowledge you, we praise you, and we bless you, O God the Unbegotten Father, the Only-begotten Son, and Holy Spirit, the Comforter; one, holy and undivided Trinity. Glory to you forever. V. Let us bless the Father, and the Son with the Holy Spirit. R. Let us praise and exalt him above all forever. Let us pray God our Father, who by sending into the world the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification made known to the human race your wondrous mystery, grant us, we pray, that in professing the true faith, we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. R. Amen All: O Blessed Trinity, free us, save us, and enliven us. + May God the Father, who has granted us salvation in Christ, his Son, and in the Holy Spirit, and has given joy to the whole world, shower us with his graces and his love. R. Amen.
Sunday Mass Online : Sun. June 11, 2017 - #Solemnity of the Holy Trinity - Readings + Video - #Eucharist
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Lectionary: 164
Reading 1EX 34:4B-6, 8-9
Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinaias the LORD had commanded him,
taking along the two stone tablets.
Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses there
and proclaimed his name, "LORD."
Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,
"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,
slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity."
Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.
Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord,
do come along in our company.
This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins,
and receive us as your own."
Responsorial PsalmDN 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is your holy and glorious name,
praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,
praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Blessed are you who look into the depths
from your throne upon the cherubim,
praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
R. Glory and praise for ever!
Reading 22 COR 13:11-13
Brothers and sisters, rejoice.Mend your ways, encourage one another,
agree with one another, live in peace,
and the God of love and peace will be with you.
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the holy ones greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
AlleluiaCF. RV 1:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;
to God who is, who was, and who is to come.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 3:16-18
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
What is the Holy Trinity - 10 Points to SHARE on #HolyTrinity from the Catechism - Bible - History
1. What is the Trinity
The Trinity refers to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit the 3 Persons in 1 God. This defininition of God involves three consubstantial persons or hypostases.
CCC 232 Christians are baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"53 Before receiving the sacrament, they respond to a three-part question when asked to confess the Father, the Son and the Spirit: "I do." "The faith of all Christians rests on the Trinity."54
The word "Trinity" comes from the Latin noun "trinitas" meaning "three are one." It was first introduced by Tertullian at the end of the 2nd century.
3. Do all Christians accept the Trinity?
Yes, the doctrine of the Trinity is Key to the Christian Faith however, some non-Christian churches reject the doctrine of the Trinity including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists, Unitarians and others.
4. Is the Trinity a Mystery?
CCC234 The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in himself. It is therefore the source of all the other mysteries of faith, the light that enlightens them. It is the most fundamental and essential teaching in the "hierarchy of the truths of faith".56 The whole history of salvation is identical with the history of the way and the means by which the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, reveals himself to men "and reconciles and unites with himself those who turn away from sin".57
The Trinity is mentioned in the Bible: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ... (Matthew 28:19, ESV)
Jesus said, "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me." (John 15:26, ESV) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14, ESV)
6. Is the Trinity One or Three Gods?
CCC 253 The Trinity is One. We do not confess three Gods, but one God in three persons, the "consubstantial Trinity".83 The divine persons do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of them is God whole and entire: "The Father is that which the Son is, the Son that which the Father is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e. by nature one God."84 In the words of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215), "Each of the persons is that supreme reality, viz., the divine substance, essence or nature."85
CCC 254 The divine persons are really distinct from one another. "God is one but not solitary."86 "Father", "Son", "Holy Spirit" are not simply names designating modalities of the divine being, for they are really distinct from one another: "He is not the Father who is the Son, nor is the Son he who is the Father, nor is the Holy Spirit he who is the Father or the Son."87 They are distinct from one another in their relations of origin: "It is the Father who generates, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds."88 The divine Unity is Triune.
7. Is the Trinity found in the Old Testament?
Yes, the Old Testament has Bible Verses referring to the Trinity including Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Deuteronomy 6:4.
8. What is the Nicene Creed?
(Shortened From the Catholic Encyclopedia) The Nicene Creed, as approved in amplified form at the Council of Constantinople (381), is the profession of the Christian Faith common to the Catholic Church, to all the Eastern Churches separated from Rome, and to most of the Protestant denominations. It expresses Belief in the Holy Trinity:
We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen."
9. Has the Church always believed in the Trinity?
Yes, the Catholic Church has always believed in the Trinity. The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity was established as a Double of the Second Class by Pope John XXII it is celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost. It was made a Double of the First Class by Pope Pius X on 24 July 1911.The liturgical color is white.
10. When was the term Trinity first Recorded?
The first time the Greek word was used was in the works of Theophilus of Antioch in about 170.
Also See: #Novena to the Most Holy Trinity and Litany #Prayers to SHARE #HolyTrinity http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2016/05/novena-to-most-holy-trinity-and-litany.html
CCC refers to sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
8. What is the Nicene Creed?
(Shortened From the Catholic Encyclopedia) The Nicene Creed, as approved in amplified form at the Council of Constantinople (381), is the profession of the Christian Faith common to the Catholic Church, to all the Eastern Churches separated from Rome, and to most of the Protestant denominations. It expresses Belief in the Holy Trinity:
We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen."
9. Has the Church always believed in the Trinity?
Yes, the Catholic Church has always believed in the Trinity. The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity was established as a Double of the Second Class by Pope John XXII it is celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost. It was made a Double of the First Class by Pope Pius X on 24 July 1911.The liturgical color is white.
10. When was the term Trinity first Recorded?
The first time the Greek word was used was in the works of Theophilus of Antioch in about 170.
Also See: #Novena to the Most Holy Trinity and Litany #Prayers to SHARE #HolyTrinity http://jceworld.blogspot.ca/2016/05/novena-to-most-holy-trinity-and-litany.html
CCC refers to sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Saint June 11 : Saint Barnabas : Apostle : Patron of #Hailstorms - #Peacemaker
APOSTLE
Feast: June 11
Information:Feast Day:
June 11
Born:
Cyprus
Died:
61 AD, Salamis, Cyprus
Major Shrine:
Monastery of St Barnabas in Famagusta, Cyprus
Patron of:
Cyprus, Antioch, against hailstorms, invoked as peacemaker
arnabas (originally Joseph), styled an Apostle in Holy Scripture, and, like St. Paul, ranked by the Church with the Twelve, though not one of them; b. of Jewish parents in the Island of Cyprus about the beginning of the Christian Era. A Levite, he naturally spent much time in Jerusalem, probably even before the Crucifixion of Our Lord, and appears also to have settled there (where his relatives, the family of Mark the Evangelist, likewise had their homes — Acts 12:12) and to have owned land in its vicinity (4:36-37). A rather late tradition recorded by Clement of Alexandria (Strom., II, 20, P.G., VIII, col. 1060) and Eusebius (H. E., II, i, P. G., XX, col. 117) says that he was one of the seventy Disciples; but Acts (4:36-37) favours the opinion that he was converted to Christianity shortly after Pentecost (about A.D. 29 or 30) and immediately sold his property and devoted the proceeds to the Church. The Apostles, probably because of his success as a preacher, for he is later placed first among the prophets and doctors of Antioch (xiii, 1), surnamed him Barnabas, a name then interpreted as meaning "son of exhortation" or "consolation". (The real etymology, however, is disputed. See Encyl. Bibli., I, col. 484.) Though nothing is recorded of Barnabas for some years, he evidently acquired during this period a high position in the Church.
When Saul the persecutor, later Paul the Apostle, made his first visit (dated variously from A.D. 33 to 38) to Jerusalem after his conversion, the Church there, remembering his former fierce spirit, was slow to believe in the reality of his conversion. Barnabas stood sponsor for him and had him received by the Apostles, as the Acts relate (9:27), though he saw only Peter and James, the brother of the Lord, according to Paul himself (Galatians 1:18-19). Saul went to his house at Tarsus to live in obscurity for some years, while Barnabas appears to have remained at Jerusalem. The event that brought them together again and opened to both the door to their lifework was an indirect result of Saul's own persecution. In the dispersion that followed Stephen's death, some Disciples from Cyprus and Cyrene, obscure men, inaugurated the real mission of the Christian Church by preaching to the Gentiles. They met with great success among the Greeks at Antioch in Syria, reports of which coming o the ears of the Apostles, Barnabas was sent thither by them to investigate the work of his countrymen. He saw in the conversions effected the fruit of God's grace and, though a Jew, heartily welcomed these first Gentile converts. His mind was opened at once to the possibility of this immense field. It is a proof how deeply impressed Barnabas had been by Paul that he thought of him immediately for this work, set out without delay for distant Tarsus, and persuaded Paul to go to Antioch and begin the work of preaching. This incident, shedding light on the character of each, shows it was no mere accident that led them to the Gentile field. Together they laboured at Antioch for a whole year and "taught a great multitude". Then, on the coming of famine, by which Jerusalem was much afflicted, the offerings of the Disciples at Antioch were carried (about A.D. 45) to the mother-church by Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11). Their mission ended, they returned to Antioch, bringing with them the cousin, or nephew of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), John Mark, the future Evangelist (Acts 12:25).
The time was now ripe, it was believed, for more systematic labours, and the Church of Antioch felt inspired by the Holy Ghost to send out missionaries to the Gentile world and to designate for the work Barnabas and Paul. They accordingly departed, after the imposition of hands, with John Mark as helper. Cyprus, the native land of Barnabas, was first evangelized, and then they crossed over to Asia Minor. Here, at Perge in Pamphylia, the first stopping place, John Mark left them, for what reason his friend St. Luke does not state, though Paul looked on the act as desertion. The two Apostles, however, pushing into the interior of a rather wild country, preached at Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, at Derbe, and other cities. At every step they met with opposition and even violent persecution from the Jews, who also incited the Gentiles against them. The most striking incident of the journey was at Lystra, where the superstitious populace took Paul, who had just cured a lame man, for Hermes (Mercury) "because he was the chief speaker", and Barnabas for Jupiter, and were about to sacrifice a bull to them when prevented by the Apostles. Mob-like, they were soon persuaded by the Jews to turn and attack the Apostles and wounded St. Paul almost fatally. Despite opposition and persecution, Paul and Barnabas made many converts on this journey and returned by the same route to Perge, organizing churches, ordaining presbyters and placing them over the faithful, so that they felt, on again reaching Antioch in Syria, that God had "opened a door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:13-14:27).
Barnabas and Paul had been "for no small time" at Antioch, when they were threatened with the undoing of their work and the stopping of its further progress. Preachers came from Jerusalem with the gospel that circumcision was necessary for salvation, even for the Gentiles. The Apostles of the Gentiles, perceiving at once that this doctrine would be fatal to their work, went up to Jerusalem to combat it; the older Apostles received them kindly and at what is called the Council of Jerusalem (dated variously from A.D. 47 to 51) granted a decision in their favour as well as a hearty commendation of their work (Acts 14:27-15:30). On their return to Antioch, they resumed their preaching for a short time. St. Peter came down and associated freely there with the Gentiles, eating with them. This displeased some disciples of James; in their opinion, Peter's act was unlawful, as against the Mosaic law. Upon their remonstrances, Peter yielded apparently through fear of displeasing them, and refused to eat any longer with the Gentiles. Barnabas followed his example. Paul considered that they "walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel" and upbraided them before the whole church (Galatians 2:11-15). Paul seems to have carried his point. Shortly afterwards, he and Barnabas decided to revisit their missions. Barnabas wished to take John Mark along once more, but on account of the previous defection Paul objected. A sharp contention ensuing, the Apostles agreed to separate. Paul was probably somewhat influenced by the attitude recently taken by Barnabas, which might prove a prejudice to their work. Barnabas sailed with John Mark to Cyprus, while Paul took Silas an revisited the churches of Asia Minor. It is believed by some that the church of Antioch, by its God-speed to Paul, showed its approval of his attitude; this inference, however, is not certain (Acts 15:35-41).
Little is known of the subsequent career of Barnabas. He was still living and labouring as an Apostle in 56 or 57, when Paul wrote I Cor. (ix, 5, 6). from which we learn that he, too, like Paul, earned his own living, though on an equality with other Apostles. The reference indicates also that the friendship between the two was unimpaired. When Paul was a prisoner in Rome (61-63), John Mark was attached to him as a disciple, which is regarded as an indication that Barnabas was no longer living (Colossians 4:10). This seems probable.
Various traditions represent him as the first Bishop of Milan, as preaching at Alexandria and at Rome, whose fourth (?) bishop, St. Clement, he is said to have converted, and as having suffered martyrdom in Cyprus. The traditions are all late and untrustworthy.
With the exception of St. Paul and certain of the Twelve, Barnabas appears to have been the most esteemed man of the first Christian generation. St. Luke, breaking his habit of reserve, speaks of him with affection, "for he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith". His title to glory comes not only from his kindliness of heart, his personal sanctity, and his missionary labours, but also from his readiness to lay aside his Jewish prejudices, in this anticipating certain of the Twelve; from his large-hearted welcome of the Gentiles, and from his early perception of Paul's worth, to which the Christian Church is indebted, in large part at least, for its great Apostle. His tenderness towards John Mark seems to have had its reward in the valuable services later rendered by him to the Church.
The feast of St. Barnabas is celebrated on 11 June. He is credited by Tertullian (probably falsely) with the authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the so-called Epistle of Barnabas is ascribed to him by many Fathers.
(Taken from Catholic Encyclopedia)
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