WEDNESDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JUNE 11, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT BARNABAS, APOSTLE AND MARTYR [SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT] | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Barnabas | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-june-11th/)

Greetings beloved family. Happy Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time!

We thank God for the gift of life and, we lift up in prayer all who celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and all those marking special milestones in June. May the Lord bless and favor them abundantly, guide their steps, and grant them joy, peace, and good health of body and mind. Amen 🙏🏽

Today, Holy Mother Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle and Martyr (Patron of Antioch; Cyprus; against hailstorms; invoked as peacemaker).

Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of the Ordinary Time. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of June🙏🏽

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle | Tuesday, June 11, 2025
Reading 1: Acts 11:21b–26; 13:1–3
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2–3ab, 3cd–4, 5–6
Gospel: Matthew 5:17–19

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 5:17–19

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill”

“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.”

In the Gospel reading, Jesus the Jew shows Himself to be respectful of His own Jewish tradition, ‘don’t imagine that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets’. However, He also declares that He has come to complete the Law and the Prophets, to bring their true intention to fulfilment. Jesus valued the good in His religious tradition, but was also open to the ways that God was working to enrich that tradition. We too are called to value the good in our own religious tradition, but also to critique the shadow side to that tradition and to be open and receptive to the ways that the Lord is constantly renewing and enriching that tradition. God is like the potter who takes what is there and reshapes it so that it serves His purposes more fully. God is always ahead of us in that sense; our task is to keep up with what God is trying to do.

Reflecting further on today’s Gospel, Jesus offers a powerful affirmation of continuity between the Old and the New. He makes it clear that He did not come to do away with the Law or the Prophets, but to bring them to their fullness. Christ is not a revolutionary in the sense of rejecting the past He is the fulfillment of all that the Old Testament promised. The Law was not discarded; it was completed and perfected in love through Christ. His life, death, and resurrection became the lens through which all the commandments find their true purpose. Jesus’ warning is firm: those who neglect even the least of the commandments and lead others astray will be least in the Kingdom. But those who live and teach faithfully will be called great. This reminds us of the importance of our witness not only in our actions but also in how we encourage others. The commandments are not burdens but pathways to love, justice, and freedom. Obedience to them isn’t mere legalism, but a loving response to God’s covenant. In a world that often dismisses moral absolutes, Jesus calls us to fidelity and integrity. The commandments are not outdated relics they are the framework through which our freedom flourishes. True greatness in God’s eyes is found not in worldly success, but in humble obedience and the courage to teach truth with compassion.

Today’s first reading gives us a powerful glimpse into the early Church’s mission and highlights the faithful service of Saint Barnabas. He was a man described as “good, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith,” who was entrusted by the Church in Jerusalem to minister to the rapidly growing Christian community in Antioch. His joy upon witnessing God’s grace in Antioch reflects his spirit of encouragement a quality for which he became known. Indeed, his name means “son of encouragement.” We see a remarkable moment of discernment in this reading: Barnabas, recognizing the magnitude of the mission, goes in search of Saul (later Paul), showing his humility and wisdom in sharing the ministry. For an entire year, they taught together and nurtured the fledgling Christian community. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians” a profound marker of identity rooted in Christ Himself. Later, as the Church fasted and prayed, the Holy Spirit singled out Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. This early moment of commissioning reveals how essential prayer, fasting, and communal discernment were in the Church’s decisions. The laying on of hands symbolizes the unity of the community and the divine empowerment given for mission. Like Barnabas and Paul, we too are called each in our own way to encourage others, to nurture the faith of those around us, and to respond to the Spirit’s call. Whether in our homes, workplaces, or churches, our mission is rooted in Christ and sustained through community and prayer.

Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm,
“The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.” Psalm 98 is a hymn of joyful praise for the Lord’s wondrous deeds. God’s salvation is not hidden it is proclaimed to all nations. This psalm echoes the missionary theme of today’s readings, reminding us that the Gospel is for everyone, not just a select few. God’s justice, faithfulness, and mercy extend to the ends of the earth. The invitation to “sing joyfully” calls us to praise with our whole being. Whether through the harp, trumpet, or our voices, praise is our response to God’s faithful love. In a world often filled with sorrow or despair, we are called to be a people of joy—joy rooted not in comfort or success, but in salvation and trust in God’s power.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are called to ponder on the Scriptures. Am I living out the commandments of God not just in letter but in spirit? Do I sometimes treat God’s law as a burden rather than a gift that guides me toward truth? Like Barnabas, do I encourage others in their faith, or do I focus only on my own growth? Am I attuned to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in my life? What gifts has God placed in me that He is calling me to set apart for His work? The Lord has chosen each of us for a purpose. Like Barnabas, may we be people of encouragement, full of the Spirit and faith. Like Christ, may we not only obey God’s law but lead others by example. And like the psalmist, may our lives echo with joyful praise, declaring God’s salvation to all. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and let us be bold, discerning, and faithful as we live out our unique calling in the Church.

Lord Jesus, You came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. Help me to walk in Your truth with a heart rooted in love. Give me the grace to live and teach Your commandments with faithfulness and courage. May I never grow tired of encouraging others in their journey. Holy Spirit, guide me to recognize my mission and respond with trust, as Barnabas and Paul did. Let my life be a song of praise to You, proclaiming Your saving power to all. Amen. 🙏🏽

MEMORIAL OF SAINT BARNABAS, APOSTLE AND MARTYR [SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT] ~ FEAST DAY: JUNE 11TH: Today, Holy Mother Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle and Martyr (Patron of Antioch; Cyprus; against hailstorms; invoked as peacemaker). Through his powerful intercession and the maternal protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we lift up in prayer all those who labor to spread the Gospel missionaries, catechists, priests, and evangelists. We also pray for unity in our families and Church, for peace across divided nations, and for the healing of those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit. May those who suffer persecution for Christ remain faithful and find courage in the example of Saint Barnabas. We entrust the conversion of sinners and the intentions of all Christians to God’s merciful care. Amen. 🙏🏽

Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | June 11th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Barnabas | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-june-11th/ )

SAINT BARNABAS, APOSTLE AND MARTYR (SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT): Saint Barnabas, born Joseph, was a Levite from Cyprus and an early convert to Christianity in Jerusalem. Known for his generosity, he sold his property and gave the proceeds to the Church (Acts 4:36–37). The Apostles named him Barnabas, meaning “Son of Encouragement,” for his consoling spirit and faith-filled witness.

Though not one of the original Twelve, Barnabas is traditionally listed among the Seventy Disciples and played a key role in the early Church. He supported Saint Paul after his conversion, introducing him to the Apostles and helping gain their trust (Acts 9:27). Together, Paul and Barnabas preached to the Gentiles, especially in Antioch, where the term “Christian” was first used (Acts 11:26). He also participated in the Council of Jerusalem, affirming that Gentile converts need not follow the full Mosaic Law (Acts 15).

After parting ways with Paul over a disagreement about John Mark, Barnabas continued his missionary work in Cyprus, where tradition holds he was martyred around 61 A.D. in Salamis. He is remembered as a man “full of the Holy Spirit and faith” (Acts 11:24), a reconciler and fearless evangelizer who exemplified encouragement and unity in the Church.

PRAYER: Lord God, You chose Saint Barnabas, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, to bring consolation and encouragement to Your Church and to preach the Gospel among the nations. Through his intercession, grant us the grace to live with courage, to uplift others in their struggles, and to be bold in proclaiming the saving truth of Christ. May we, like him, be generous in service and faithful in love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Barnabas ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS:

Watch “Holy Mass and Regina Caeli | Presided over by Pope Leo XIV | Jubilee of Families | Live from the Vatican | June 1, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/holy-mass-and-regina-caeli/ | Live from St. Peter’s Square: Holy Mass presided over by the Holy Father for the Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents, and the Elderly, followed by the Regina Caeli prayer.

We continue to pray for all families, for the safety and well-being of all families, children, parents, grandparents, and the elderly. May the good Lord keep them all in good health of body and mind. Amen 🙏🏽

THE HOLY FAMILY PRAYER

JESUS , Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

MARY , Mother of Jesus and Our Mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.

JOSEPH , Foster-father to Jesus, guardian, and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH , make our family one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR FAMILIES

God, Our Father, loving and merciful, bring together and keep all families in perfect unity of love and mutual support. Instill in each member the spirit of understanding and affection for each other. Keep quarrels and bitterness far from them, and for their occasional failures instill forgiveness and peace. May the mutual love and affection of parents set a good example. Instill in children self-respect that they may respect others and grow in mature independence. May the mutual affection and respect of families be a sign of Christian life here and hereafter, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior. Amen 🙏🏽

A PRAYER FOR OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE LEO XIV

Almighty God, we thank You for the gift of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Grant him wisdom, courage, and humility as he leads the Church in truth and love. May the Holy Spirit guide his every word and action, and may he be a bridge of unity for all nations. Through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace, strengthen him in his mission to proclaim Christ to the world. Amen 🙏🏽

Heavenly Father, You have raised Your servant, Pope Leo XIV, to the Chair of Saint Peter. Pour out Your abundant blessings upon him. Through him, guide Your pilgrim Church along the path to Heaven. Grant him wisdom to discern Your will, Courage to fulfill it, And charity to shepherd Your people with the Heart of Christ. In this time of transition, Bring peace to troubled hearts, Joy to those who suffer, And hope to the despairing. May he be a faithful successor to Peter, A humble servant of Your Word, And a fearless herald of Your Divine Mercy and Truth. Strengthen him with the grace of the Holy Spirit, That he may lead the Church in unity, holiness, and fidelity. We entrust him to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, And to the prayers of all the saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen 🙏🏽

We thank God for the successful celebration of the Inauguration Holy Mass for Pope Leo XIV. May the Holy Spirit guide him as he shepherds the faithful, and may his pontificate be a source of renewal and unity for the Church. Amen 🙏🏽

MEET THE NEW POPE: Pope Leo XIV | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/live-from-st-peters-square-white-smoke-habemus-papam/

PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS: With the passing of Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul. Merciful and loving God, We entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.

Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽

Daily Reflections with Philomena | Prayer for the Soul of Pope Francis | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/precious-in-the-sight-of-the-lord-is-the-death-of-his-saints-psalm-11615/

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the sick and dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, especially for our Holy Father, POPE FRANCIS, all those who died today, and all the faithful departed may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽

Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/

Watch “HOLY MASS ON THE JUBILEE OF THE SICK AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS | Presided by H.E. Most Rev. Rino Fisichella | Live from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican | April 6, 2025” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/06/holy-mass-on-the-jubilee-of-the-sick-and-healthcare-workers/

Watch ” Pentecost Holy Mass and Regina Caeli | Presided over by Pope Leo XIV | Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements, Association and New Communities | Live from the Vatican | June 8, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/live-from-the-vatican-pope-leo-xivs-pentecost-mass-and-regina-caeli/

Live from St. Peter’s Square, the celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost presided over by Pope Leo XIV, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements, Associations and New Communities. Following the Mass, the Holy Father led the Regina Caeli prayer, invoking the Holy Spirit upon the whole Church as the Easter season concludes.

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/

Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏🏽

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE: That the world might grow in compassion. Let us pray that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from his Heart, learn to have compassion on the world.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JUNE | MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS: June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a powerful sign of Christ’s love and mercy. His Heart, pierced and crowned with thorns, burns with compassion for all humanity. This devotion calls us to return love for love to console His Heart and make reparation for sin and indifference. Rooted in the revelations to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the Church invites us this month to deepen our trust in Jesus, especially through First Friday devotions, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, and acts of consecration. His words echo in our hearts: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29).

The Sacred Heart shows us what true love looks like patient, humble, and self-giving. In a world often cold and restless, we find peace and healing in His Heart.

“Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You.”

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, teach us to love as You love. Fill our hearts with compassion, mercy, and a deep desire to follow You. Amen. 🙏🏽

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540

PRAYER INTENTIONS: On this memorial of Saint Barnabas, the “Son of Encouragement,” we pray for the Church, that her leaders may be filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaim the Gospel with joy, courage, and unity. We pray for missionaries and evangelizers, especially those facing hardship or rejection, that they may be strengthened by God’s grace and the example of Saint Barnabas. We lift up all who are working to build unity within the Body of Christ, asking for healing where there is division and for hearts open to reconciliation. We remember those discerning their vocations, that they may hear and respond to God’s call with generous and obedient hearts. For all who struggle to live according to God’s commandments, may the teachings of Christ lead them to true freedom and holiness. And for the discouraged, the lonely, and the forgotten, may they be lifted by the compassion and encouragement of those around them. Let us also bring our personal intentions before the Lord, trusting in His mercy and providence.

LET US PRAY

My most glorious Lord, You came to bring our lives to the fullness of grace and holiness. You call us to the heights of Heaven. Help me to see my high calling, dear Lord, and to work diligently to embrace all that You now command by Your New Law of grace and mercy. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

Lord God, You called Saint Barnabas to be a faithful servant, filled with the Holy Spirit and set apart for the mission of the Gospel. In a world longing for hope and unity, help us, like Barnabas, to be instruments of encouragement and reconciliation. May we live the commandments not as burdens, but as pathways to love and freedom in Christ. Strengthen us in faith, embolden us in witness, and guide us in charity. Where there is division, make us builders of peace. Where there is doubt, let us speak words of hope. Inspire us to live with integrity, trusting in the grace You freely give to those who seek to follow Your will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Barnabas ~ Pray for us🙏🏽

Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, and as we now enter the gentle rhythm of Ordinary Time, may our hearts remain open to the quiet working of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide, renew, and strengthen us each day. May this week be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ walks with us always. Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled start to Ordinary Time, and a peaceful week ahead. 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | Global Missons Now Awards |

North Texas Catholic Magazine | Dr. Philomena Ikowe – Life on Purpose (pages 44-45) | https://www.flipsnack.com/A9DFE877C6F/north-texas-catholic-magazine-mar-apr-issue-2025/full-view.html