Reflection on Today’s Readings, the Memorial of St. Barnabas, Saturday 11th June, 2022
Texts: Acts 11:21b-26; 13.1-3; Psalm 98:1-6; Matthew 10:7-13
Barnabas was a companion of Paul in his missionary journey to evangelize the Gentiles. He is described in today’s first reading as a good man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit. It is said, “and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” We learn from him that to be Christian is to possess goodness of heart, to be filled with faith and Holy Spirit. It is by goodness of heart we are kind, compassionate and will the good of others. Faith connects us to God and makes us accept and live by the truth revealed by God. Holy Spirit empowers us to live the life of grace and faith. Without goodness of heart, strong faith and Holy Spirit we are far from being Christian.
Barnabas was a man who prioritises faithfulness to the Lord and steadfastness of purpose, for he taught the people to do so. We are faithful to Christ when we live the gospel. The purpose of our life in Christ is salvation and eternal life. We are steadfast in purpose when we remain resolute in the pursuit of our salvation and eternal life. The purpose of being Christian is to save ourselves and possess eternal life. We need to be resolute in doing that which Jesus Christ has told us will win us salvation and eternal life. The faithfulness to Christ is that which will win us salvation and eternal life.
The reading also shows that he was a responsible and trusted man. This accounts for why he was sent to lead the new converts into the faith. It is said, “News of this came to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.” Barnabas must have been accountable and dependable to have been given such an assignment. He recorded success in his pastoral solicitude over the Church in Antioch, for large company was added and the believers were first called Christian, Christ-like, in Antioch. Jesus, in today’s gospel reading, speaks of pastoral solicitude when He says, “Preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.” We are to preach the gospel, visit and heal the sick, bury the dead, help people to reject evil and turn them to good, etc. The Holy Spirit also entrusted to him the evangelization of the Gentiles. With Paul he laboured generously to evangelize the Gentiles. We are also responsible for permeating of our environs with the gospel.
St. Barnabas shows us by his life the path of salvation and eternal life. Celebrating him today should make us better Christians. May God help us. Amen.
O God, who decreed that Saint Barnabas, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, should be set apart to convert the nations; grant that the Gospel of Christ, which he strenuously preached, may be faithfully proclaimed by word and by deed. Amen (Collect)
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke
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