Reflection for Thursday June 11 Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle: Matthew 10:7-13

Gospel: Matthew 10:7-13

(Jesus said to the twelve disciples) As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick.

The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. 

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Reflection:

The story is told of a woman who could not seem to throw away the old things in her house. According to her, she refused to dispose of anything because each item held sentimental value. As the years passed, her house became filled with clutter and dirt caused by the many unnecessary things she had accumulated.

If we are honest with ourselves, do we not sometimes do the same? We may not all fill our homes with unused possessions, but how often do we hold on to things that no longer help us grow—material possessions, unhealthy attachments, past hurts, regrets, or worldly desires? Instead of bringing us peace, they often clutter our hearts, burden our minds, and complicate our lives.

A simple life often leads to fewer problems, while a complicated life often brings unnecessary worries and struggles. The question we need to ask ourselves is this: Are we living the simple life that God desires for us?

Jesus was undoubtedly an advocate of simple living. This is evident in our Gospel today when He instructed the Twelve Apostles as He commissioned them for their mission: “Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick” (Matthew 10:9–10). Through these words, Jesus teaches us to trust more in God's providence than in material security. He reminds us that our true wealth is not found in what we possess but in our relationship with Him.

One of the best ways for us to live is to embrace simplicity. As we choose a simpler way of life, we often discover greater freedom, deeper peace, and a stronger dependence on God. We become less distracted by the things of this world and more attentive to the things that truly matter—our faith, our family, our relationships, and our service to others.

Yet many of us fail to realize that some of the burdens we carry are the result of our own complicated lifestyles. We sometimes create pressures for ourselves by constantly wanting more, accumulating more, and worrying more. The life we live is largely shaped by the choices we make each day. When we allow unnecessary things to occupy our hearts and lives, we leave less room for God's presence and guidance.

Let us therefore imitate Jesus, who lived a simple, humble, and uncomplicated life. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to let go of whatever keeps us from following Him more closely. May we learn to be content with what we have, grateful for what God provides, and focused on the treasures that never fade.

Today, let us prayerfully examine our hearts: What unnecessary possessions, attachments, habits, worries, or desires are cluttering our lives and preventing us from drawing closer to God? Are we willing to let go of them so that Christ may become the greatest treasure in our hearts?– Marino J. Dasmarinas