Tuesday 10th
June, 2019. Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3 Psalm 98 & Matthew
10:7-13
_*“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)*_
Today, we celebrate the
Feast of St. Barnabas. Although he was not one of the twelve chosen by Jesus,
Barnabas is regarded as an Apostle largely due to his immense contribution to
the Faith at the beginning of Christianity. We know that Barnabas was a Jew,
born in Cyprus. He was a very wealthy man who in later life, saw the emptiness
of his riches. He became converted to the Christian Faith and donated a large
piece of land to the Apostles where the first Christians camped and live a
community life of sharing.
Barnabas is one of those
generous Christians who gave all he had to the common purse and inspired
others as well to give such that as Luke reports “There
was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or
houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the
apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need.” (Acts 4:34-35)
The name Barnabas means “Son
of Encouragement.” He was truly a man of encouragement. In our first reading,
we read of how Barnabas was sent to Antioch where he exhorted the Christians to
remain faithful. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit. It was
Barnabas who went to Tarsus to look for Saul upon hearing of his miraculous
conversion.
Barnabas gladly received
Paul as a brother instantly forgetting and forgiving his past as a persecutor, and
went ahead to introduce him to the company of the other Apostles. Being a
convert himself, Barnabas understood Paul better than the other Apostles who
were reluctant to receive Paul initially. Indeed, we all have something to
learn from converts.
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. Barnabas teaches us the importance
of team spirit. As we read, while they were worshipping the Lord and fasting,
the Holy Spirit said: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Paul for the work to which
I have called them.”
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.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:10-12).
In today’s Gospel passage,
Jesus admonishes us to “preach as we go”. This means, there should be no
specific time for preaching but that preaching should flow naturally from our
daily activities. We should preach as we work, preach as we move, preach with
our very lives. Jesus even orders us to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse
lepers and cast out demons but we must be careful not to monetize the exercise
of this spiritual power. “You received without paying, give without pay.”
If you discover you have the
gift of healing the sick and even raising the dead, what would be your next
line of action? Would you exercise this gift quietly or would you rather open a
church and call it a miracle centre? I mean, would you exercise your gift
freely or would you turn it into a business? It is sad that today, some
Christians demand money just to pray for their fellow Christians and some
so-called ministers even go as far as charging consultation fee just to listen
to their flock. Aren’t we going against what Jesus commanded?
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 & Matthew 10:7-13).
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