St. Barnabas, Apostle, June 11

 Feast of St. Barnabas, Apostle, June 11

Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3; Mt 10:7-13

Barnabas goes to Antioch; He was a man of faith.

 A woman who identified herself only as R. L. R. sent a poem to Ann Landers in response to someone who had written Ann that believers were simpletons. The poem was entitled "Doubter" and read: "Oh you who could not put one star in motion, who could not build one mountain out of earth, or trace the pattern of a single snowflake or understand the miracle of birth, "Presumptuous mortal who cannot alter the universe in any way, Or fashion one small bud, release one raindrop Or toss one cloud into a sunny day, "Oh earthling who could never paint a sunset or cause one dawn to shine. Oh puny man who cannot create a single miracle, How dare you doubt the one who can." Author unknown

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How do we treat our doubts when they come? "Faith is the ear of the soul." Clement of Alexander

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St. Barnabas was not one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, but the book of the Acts of the Apostles named him as an apostle (Acts 14:14). Together with St. Paul, they preached the Good News to the gentiles. But there are some distinct characteristics about them. St. Paul wrote epistles but there was none from St. Barnabas in the New Testament. There are quotes from St. Paul in Acts and in other passages in the New Testament, but there seems to be nothing written of what St. Barnabas said. Yet, it can be said that St. Barnabas was as much a man of words as he was of action.

His name means "son of encouragement" and he was given that name when he converted to Christianity and sold his goods and property and gave the money to the apostles. Indeed, he lived up to that name as he was the first to take in St. Paul after his conversion when others were still suspecting him.

 

In the 1st reading, we heard that St. Barnabas was sent to Antioch to look into the great numbers of conversions, and when he was there, more people were won over to the Lord. He then went to look for St. Paul to help out in the work in Antioch and it was there that the disciples were first called "Christians" and that became the most identifiable term. In word and in deed, St. Barnabas was a sign of encouragement for others in their faith and in their lives. May we follow the example of St. Barnabas and be for others encouragement and consolation in word and in deed.

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Introduction

St. Paul owed very much to this missionary, for Barnabas involved Paul in his work among the Christians of Antioch, who were of pagan origin. Acts called Barnabas “a prophet and teacher” and “a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith.” He was an open spirit, convinced that if one had faith it was enough to let one become eligible to be a Christian. Inspired by the Spirit, the leaders of the community of Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas on their missionary mission.

Opening Prayer: Lord our God, prompted by the Holy Spirit, the church of Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas on their missionary mission among pagans. Let your Church everywhere send good, zealous men and women as missionaries. Fill them with the Holy Spirit and with faith, that they may touch the hearts of people and win them as disciples and friends of Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

Prayer over the Gifts: Lord God, let the Eucharist of Jesus bring the light and life of your Son and his zeal to our communities everywhere to make them missionary by the way they live and to make Christ visible to people. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.     

Prayer after Communion:  God of all people, at the celebration of St. Barnabas we pray: Make all your missionaries people of the Holy Spirit and of deep faith, that they may speak to the people you send them the words of life and joy of the Good News and cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those unclean and cast out evil. May they do so generously, without charge, for they have received from you without charge through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Blessing: A few days ago, Paul told us that Jesus was always “Yes,” yes to the Father’s will, yes and affirming to people, reliable. May we too, be trustworthy and reliable, in our faith, our friendship, our given word, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Commentary: Potential Epitaph 

What greater compliment can one receive on this side of life than what the Book of Acts says of Barnabas: “He was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith”! The Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul to bring the Good News to the gentiles. The very name ‘Barnabas’ meant “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation.” What else is the Good News other than the announcement of God’s consolation and encouragement, the Gospel of our adoption and redemption? It is all about healing the sicknesses of our souls bringing us back to a life of hope, cleansing us from all that make us impure, and driving out our internal demons of fear, hatred, and violence. Barnabas did justice to the Gospel mandate by his very name and ministry. Will the Lukan description of Barnabas be a fitting epitaph for you, when you have run your race on this side of life?