St Barnabas the Apostle (Jun 11)

A Good Companion

Acts 11:19–30; Ps. 112; Gal. 2:1–10; John 15:12–17

‘News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch . . . for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.’ Acts 11:22, 24

A man of conviction

Barnabas had great faith; it had been tested in the days after Paul’s conversion, when those with long memories had labelled Paul the arch-persecutor of the Church, and were unwilling to believe that the leopard had changed his spots. Barnabas believed, and made no secret of it, sticking up for Paul against all corners.

We first meet Barnabas the Cypriot, when he generously sold his property to give to the poor. From here, he appears to have just gone on growing in the faith. The Jerusalem Church sent Paul and Barnabas out on mission, and it was a great success. There was a blip, when the two apostles disagreed over Mark’s apparent defection; again, it was Barnabas who took Mark with him on a mission to Cyprus, while Paul set off on another mission, this time with Silas.

According to tradition, Barnabas was martyred at Cyprus, in or around the year 61. A small chapel there, with pantiled cupola and cross, marks the tomb of this apostle, who is honoured as the founder of the Cypriot Church.

A staunch ally

Barnabas was a staunch ally to have at one’s side; and the Barnabases of today are following in worthy footsteps. Are we being Barnabases in our parish, our deanery, our diocese? Are we championing those whose faith or credentials are being assailed by others? Do we have the courage to stand up and speak out for them? Do we value our friendships to the point where, like Barnabas, we will support them against all corners? We don’t have to agree with everything they say or do (because we hope their friendship will survive our own shortcomings); but the name of the game is encouragement rather than criticism.

We don’t have to look far for Barnabas-opportunities: encouragement is in much shorter supply than need. If we look back over our lives, can we not see where someone’s encouragement made a big difference? The strength it gave us to carry on; the impetus it gave to go beyond what we had thought was possible?

We are used to being extra-vigilant against the onslaughts of Satan. If we employ equally diligent energy into giving encouragement wherever we can, we are in effect dealing Satan a double, two-edged blow.

And that can’t be anything but good news.

Suggested Hymns

Brother, sister, let me serve you; Can I see another’s woe; Help us to help each other, Lord; Lord, for the years.