ST. BARNABAS, APOSTLE
Acts 11:21–26; 13:1-3; Psalm 98; Matthew 10:7–13
Barnabas is one of the least-known apostles. He played an essential role in the spread of the gospel, yet he is not as famous as Paul or as well-known as Peter. You don’t have to be famous to be effective in the Kingdom. For fame, many have sold their hearts to the devil. George Santayana once said, “The highest form of vanity is love of fame.”
The first reading recounts some of the work done by Barnabas in spreading the gospel, while the gospel passage sees Jesus sending out his apostles and telling them how they should act as they enter each town they come to. Good character can never be separated from the gospel we preach.
Again, like Barnabas, we don’t need to be “the” minister or preacher before we can spread the gospel. Barnabas’ actual name is Joses; he was nicknamed Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.” He encouraged others so much that they nicknamed him the Son of Encouragement.
In Acts 4:35, he sold his land and gave the money to the apostles, who eventually distributed it to the needy. We should be people who build others up and who are willing to go the extra mile to help others. St. Barnabas, pray for us.
Let us pray
O God, who decreed that Saint Barnabas, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, should be set apart to convert the nations, grant that the Gospel of Christ, which he strenuously preached, may be faithfully proclaimed by word and by deed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
