Homily for June 11, 2018.
“So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a large company of people, and in Antioch, the disciples were for the first time called Christians.” Acts 11:25-26.
There is something very striking in our first reading today. It wasn’t until Saul was brought into the company of believers that they first earned the name Christian. The Christian community is never a group of Angels but people who acknowledge their limitations and are willing to allow Christ transform them.
The Bible does not say much about Barnabas, there is not even a book in the Bible written by Barnabas. 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. If not for the role, he played in bringing in Saul (who later changed his name to Paul) to the company of believers, perhaps not much would have been heard about Saul.
Sometimes, God calls us to become Barnabas to others; to be encouragers of others; to be people who believe in the goodness of others despite their past. This is exactly what Jesus teaches in the beatitudes. Blessed are poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers; the pure in heart. It takes one who has these qualities to do what Barnabas did.
Barnabas was a great team player, he was not selfish but believed in working with others, employing their talents and sharing their gifts. No wonder the Holy Spirit assigned Saul and Barnabas for a special mission
The life of Barnabas is truly an encouragement to us today as we live in a world where ministers find it very difficult to work with each other. We live in world of crazy competition and mistrust between God’s ministers; it is almost like everyone who is called by God has to open his own church. We live in a world where we ministers use the pulpit to lambast fellow ministers; we reign insults and condemnation on one another just to give the impression that we are better off, closest to God or sinless.
Tradition records that Barnabas preached in Alexandria and Rome; that he founded the Cypriote Church and that he was stoned to death at Salamis about the year 61. Barnabas ended up suffering persecution for the faith. His life was crowned with that last beatitude: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake …Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” Matthew 5:10-12.
Do not be discouraged when your faith is tested by fire. Do not give up on what is right when you have to suffer for it. Remember that it is better to die and return home to God than to live a very long life on earth against your conscience only to spend eternity in hell. Our fear of death should never be greater than our fear of sin.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, teach me to live by the beatitudes; to be a source of encouragement to others like Barnabas. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle. Bible Study: Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3 Psalm 98:1-6, Matthew 5:1-12).*
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