Memorial of St. Barnabas, June 11, 2007

Scripture: Acts 11:21-26; 13:1-3. Psalm 98. Matthew 10:7-13. Lectionary #
580:

All that we know about our Saint for the day, St. Barnabas, comes to us
from the Acts of the Apostles starting in chapter 4 and ending with chapter
15 where we find Barnabas going to Cyprus with his cousin Mark(Acts
15:37ff).Popular etymology has his name meaning "son of consolation" but it
more properly refers to the word "prophet" (nabu). Barnabas is the one who
welcomes Paul into the community of Hellenists at Antioch, the city in
Syria where the term "Christian" was used for the first time for the
followers of Jesus. (Acts 11: 26). Our readings for the Mass emphasize the
role of an apostle as a proclaimer of the Good News. From the travels and
preaching of Paul and Barnabas we learn that they both did this with vigor
and enthusiasm until the two separated because of a dispute over Mark's
weakness and homesickness. It is the Holy Spirit who has called and
inspired Barnabas in his missionary efforts. In reflecting on him as a
saint of the New Testament, I was led to think how important it is to have
the examples of saints before us in our own endeavors to bring the Gospel
and its values to others. By reading the lives of the saints we are
spurred on to keep on preaching, teaching, and showing the Good News to
others. St. Ignatius of Loyola was led to his conversion by leaving aside
novels and turning to reading the lives of the saints which gave him joy
and peace that lasted--unlike the novels that left him happy just for the
moment. We learn how to be more Christ-like through these saints in
reading about their ordinary living out of the Gospel in an extraordinary
way. We too can listen to the Holy Spirit and to Jesus as did Barnabas ,
"Go and teach all people my gospel; I am with you always till the end of
the world." Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 in the Gospel Acclamation for the
Mass).