Acts 4: 32-37
Today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles introduces us to a new disciple who sells his property and lays the proceeds at the feet of the Apostles, in support of growing the early Church, and placing the kingdom first before his own needs. Who is this man, now saint, that the apostles endearingly named Barnabas?
St. Barnabas was a Jew, a native of Cyprus, of the tribe of Levi. As such, he likely served in the Temple as a priest. His given name was Joseph, however, the Apostles awarded him the surname "Barnabas" which means "Son of Encouragement," and "Son of Consolation."
Though St. Barnabas is mentioned but 23 times in Acts and 5 times in the Pauline epistles, he is central to some of the most crucial moments in early Church history. He was the man who, after St. Paul's dramatic conversion, became his sponsor, courageously bringing him into the Christian community--a community that was very resistant and suspicious of this former persecutor. He smoothed the way for the Church's most zealous missionary and her greatest biblical theologian, St Paul.
Barnabas was a leader and preacher who enlisted Paul to join him in Antioch where the two ministered for a year gathering a great many people who were added to the Lord. This was the first great missionary outreach to the Gentiles It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
From Antioch, Barnabas and Paul traveled extensively on their missions and increased the number of believers who joined the early Church. Barnabas also recognized the gifts of the disciple John Mark, (the evangelist and author of Mark's Gospel) and acted as mentor and teacher to Mark.
The character traits of Barnabas-- goodness, faith, courage, mentorship, self-sacrifice, open-mindedness, bigheartedness, humbleness, and the fact that scripture describes him as "a good man full of the Holy Spirit and faith," -- speak loudly to us as believers.
Spend some time, yourself, getting to know a bit more about St. Barnabas. And let us call on this" Son of Encouragement" and "Son of Consolation" to be with us during these trying times. St. Barnabas, pray for us! *
*Resources: Biblical Archaeology Society, Catholic Encyclopedia and St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Denver, CO
