Bible
Study: Acts 11, 21 to 26; 13, 1 to 3 and Matthew 10, 7
to 13.
Today, we celebrate the
feast of a Saint whose life represents what Jesus says in today’s Gospel
passage, “As you go, proclaim the good news; the kingdom of heaven has come
here.” This is the message Barnabas carried, the message for which he worked strenuously
and paid the ultimate sacrifice of his own life.
All
we know of Barnabas is to be found in the New Testament. A Jew, born in Cyprus
and named Joseph, he sold his property, gave the proceeds to the Apostles, who
gave him the name Barnabas, and lived in common with the earliest converts to
Christianity in Jerusalem. The name Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement.” He
was truly a man of encouragement.
It was
Barnabas who persuaded the early Christian community to accept Paul as a
disciple. Even though they knew Paul was converted, it was not easy for the
church to accept a man who violently persecuted the church but this son of
encouragement made them understand that the past is past and Paul can be used
by God.
Barnabas
worked with Paul in the city of Antioch and through them, humans were first
called Christians. In a world of individualism where even ministers find it
difficult to work together and each person seeking glory for himself even at
the expense of the other, the life of Barnabas becomes for us an encouragement
in the right direction.
Tradition
records that Barnabas preaching in Alexandria and Rome; that he founded the
Cypriote Church and that he was stoned to death at Salamis about the year 61.
The question that should be
running through our minds this morning is, “As a Christian, when was the last
time I spoke to a person about Jesus Christ?” When last did I attempt to preach
my faith and explain what I believe to others?
When Jesus spoke these words
in today’s Gospel passage, he was addressing not only the twelve disciples but
the entire crowd. Every one of us has a mission to preach, to cure the sick, to
raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons.
Let us Pray:
Lord Jesus, may St. Barnabas
inspire me to live up to your expectation of me as a Christian. Amen.
Good morning.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. Happy weekend.
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