Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 11, 2025
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
Being Catholic is not intended to be a solo journey, but, admittedly, sometimes it can feel that way. What do I have to do to be with Christ in heaven? Granted, while our destination is to spend eternity in the presence of our Lord, our bigger mission is to assist others in that endeavor.
To that point, one cannot help but recall the scene from the movie Hacksaw Ridge, where Pfc. Desmond Doss repeatedly prays, “Lord, give me one more,” as this true WWII hero risks his own life to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. Seventy-five men had him to thank that day. As a result, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his sacrifice to others. Surely, a greater reward awaited him in heaven.
Today’s gospel reminds us of what it means to be a soldier for Christ. How are we called to carry “one more” soul to safety, not to push him over the proverbial cliff to his death?
When Jesus is instructing his disciples, he offers this salient point: “Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.” Notice, here, that Jesus does not use the conjunction “or.” He uses “and,” making the two points inextricably connected. The first addresses an unwillingness to follow each commandment, jeopardizing one’s own soul. However, the second part takes that sinfulness to a treacherous low: a willingness to jeopardize the souls of others by deliberately teaching them falsehoods. They “will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.”
The heart of God’s commandments is not subject to change. It is our heart that must do so. We must pray as fervently as Doss did, ”Lord, give me one more,” as we guide all souls down the path of righteousness. Then, and only then, will we be called the “greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”
Prayer
God, we long to enter the kingdom of heaven. We know that there, every tear will be wiped away and all will be made joy and light. Help us to follow the law and the prophets and your loving example. You promise us that in doing so we will be with you in the kingdom where you live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Barnabas is most known for being the traveling companion of St. Paul in his journeys to establish Christian communities among people who were not Jewish.
Barnabas was not one of the 12 disciples, but he is known as an apostle because he worked so closely with the disciples. His name was Joseph, but the disciples changed it to Barnabas, which St. Luke defines as “man of encouragement.”
The Acts of the Apostles describe the early followers of Jesus living together and holding everything in common. Many sold their possessions and offered the proceeds to the disciples and to the Christian community. Barnabas is singled out for his contribution from the sale of his estate (Acts 4:36).
When Paul came to Jerusalem after his conversion, many were skeptical of his change of heart. Barnabas spoke for Paul and helped the community welcome him. It was Barnabas who introduced Paul to the other disciples.
The disciples established a Christian community in Antioch, and wanted someone from Jerusalem to help the new converts there—they chose Barnabas. He continued to win converts by his preaching, and found himself needing help. Paul came and spent a year in Antioch, growing the community there. It was in Antioch that people first started calling followers of Jesus “Christians.”
The Church in Antioch grew and flourished. When Jerusalem and Palestine fell into famine during a drought, the Christians in Antioch raised money to support people in Jerusalem, and they entrusted it to Paul and Barnabas to be delivered. The two continued traveling after that, preaching the Gospel and establishing new communities. Finding that the Jews did not welcome their message, they devoted their efforts to converting Gentiles.
After their journey, Paul and Barnabas parted ways after a dispute, and not much else is known of Barnabas—he may have been stoned and martyred in Salamis. His relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Barnabas, you were the apostle who established Christian communities in your travels with Paul—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Barnabas is in the public domain. Last accessed February 13, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
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