Let Barnabas inspire us to live the commandments of God with renewed minds and hearts - Daily Reflections June 11,2014

BARNABAS: SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT

 

The first time we hear about today’s saint is during the time of growth of the community of believers. Luke reports that on Pentecost morning, three thousand were added to the number, many being cut to the heart by Peter’s message. As the community grew in faith, love and fellowship, Barnabas was said to have sold his property and given the money to the ministry of the Apostles. Known for his encouragement and selflessness, he became one of Jesus’ greatest witnesses to the Gospel.

       Barnabas, according to Luke, was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. He was converted early on in the Church’s development. He was a teacher and a great missionary. Apparently, he was willing to give Mark a second chance to follow Paul and him. Mark had left Paul in an earlier journey, but Paul didn’t want Mark back. So the two — Barnabas and Mark — set off themselves, while Paul continued on other missionary journeys with another companion, Silas. Barnabas and his cousin Mark (the evangelist) went onwards to Cyprus, where Barnabas died.

       It would be good to read or re-read the Acts of the Apostles as we see the Spirit of Pentecost move among a people establishing communities under the Gospel. One easily gets excited reading the work of the Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles, Luke’s second volume to his Gospel.

       According to Jesus in the Gospel today, one is considered great in the kingdom of heaven when he keeps the commands of God and teaches them. Barnabas is honored in this way — he was filled with the Holy Spirit, inspired by the first Apostles, and sought to spread the Kingdom in his own way.

       Let Barnabas inspire us to live the commandments of God with renewed minds and hearts. May he inspire us through his intercession of encouragement and bless our efforts of evangelization. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Read the Acts of the Apostles.

 

Lord, Barnabas was faithful in spreading the Gospel using his resources of time, talent and treasure. Give me the grace to follow his example. Amen.