Barnabas, the Apostle, Tuesday – 11th June 2024 – Acts 11,21-26; 13,1-3; Mt 5,13-16
Endured as Son of Encouragement
The first reading gives us an account of the call and ministry of Barnabas. His real name was Joseph and “Barnabas” was a nickname (Acts 4,36) given by the Apostles, means “son of encouragement”. True to his name, he encourages the Jerusalem Christians to welcome their former persecutor, Saul who became Paul (9,26-27). Later he ministered with Paul to nurture the first community comprised of both Jews and Gentiles in Antioch (11,22-26). Barnabas and Paul brought a famine relief collection from Antioch to the church in Jerusalem (11,30). They were also commissioned by the Church in Antioch to go on their first missionary journey throughout southern Asia Minor. They worked together up to the Council in Jerusalem in 49 AD. After the council, they went on separate missionary journeys due to a disagreement about taking John Mark with them. Paul continued with Silas while Barnabas went with Mark to their native Cyprus in their second missionary journeys. Tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred in Salamis in Cyprus. After the twelve and Paul, Barnabas is one of the most esteemed figures among the first generation of Christians. Luke speaks of Barnabas with affection saying “he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11,24). Barnabas is remembered not only for his missionary zeal but for his openness, even though a Jew, to the Gentiles and for seeing the former fanatical Pharisee, Saul, the potential to be a great apostle for Christ and the Gospel.
