Saint of the Day: June 11, 2024
St. Barnabas, originally named Joseph, was a Jew born in Cyprus who became one of the most prominent figures in the early Christian Church. His life and works are documented in the New Testament, where he is depicted as a generous and influential leader among the earliest Christians.
Early Life and Conversion
Barnabas first appears in the Acts of the Apostles as a man who sold his property and donated the proceeds to the Apostles. This act of generosity earned him the name Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation.” He lived in common with the earliest converts to Christianity in Jerusalem, showing his commitment to the nascent Christian community.
Relationship with Paul
Barnabas played a crucial role in Paul’s acceptance into the Christian community. After Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, many Christians were understandably wary of him due to his prior persecution of Christians. Barnabas vouched for Paul, persuading the community in Jerusalem to accept him as a genuine disciple.
Barnabas was then sent to Antioch in Syria to investigate the new Christian community there. Recognizing the potential for growth and the need for leadership, he brought Paul from Tarsus to help with the mission in Antioch. Together, they spent a year teaching and building up the church there.
Missionary Journeys
During a famine, Barnabas and Paul delivered Antioch’s donation to the Christian community in Jerusalem. Upon their return to Antioch, they embarked on a significant missionary journey, accompanied by John Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. Their travels took them to Cyprus, Perga, and Antioch in Pisidia. Facing strong opposition from the Jews, they decided to focus on preaching to the Gentiles.
They continued their journey to Iconium and Lystra in Lycaonia, where they encountered mixed reactions. In Lystra, they were initially acclaimed as gods but were soon stoned and left for dead. Despite these challenges, they persevered and returned to Antioch in Syria to strengthen the believers there.
Council of Jerusalem
A significant dispute arose regarding whether Gentile converts needed to observe Jewish rites, such as circumcision, to be baptized. Barnabas and Paul went to Jerusalem to address this issue. The Council of Jerusalem, as it came to be known, decided that Gentile converts did not have to follow these Jewish customs, a decision that greatly influenced the spread of Christianity among the Gentiles.
Final Years
After the council, Barnabas and Paul returned to Antioch. However, a disagreement arose between them over whether to take John Mark on another journey. Paul objected due to John Mark’s earlier desertion in Perga, leading to a separation between the two missionaries. Barnabas took John Mark and returned to Cyprus, while Paul continued his missions elsewhere.
The New Testament does not provide further details about Barnabas’s life after this point. Tradition holds that he continued to preach, possibly traveling to Alexandria and Rome, and that he played a significant role in founding the Cypriote Church. It is believed he was martyred by stoning in Salamis around the year 61.
Writings and Legacy
Several apocryphal writings have been attributed to Barnabas, including the “Epistle of Barnabas,” though modern scholarship suggests it was written by an early Christian in Alexandria. The “Gospel of Barnabas” and the “Acts of Barnabas” are also linked to him, but these texts are not considered authentic.
Reflection and Prayer
St. Barnabas’s life exemplifies the spirit of encouragement, generosity, and missionary zeal. His dedication to spreading the Gospel, supporting his fellow believers, and his pivotal role in the early Church serve as an inspiration to Christians today.
Prayer:
St. Barnabas, son of encouragement, you opened your heart and your hands to support the early Church and spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Help us to follow your example of generosity and dedication, and grant us the courage to stand firm in our faith amidst trials and opposition. May we, like you, be instruments of God’s love and encouragement to those around us. Amen.