Daily Retreat 06/11/08
2008 Jun 11 Wed: Barnabas, ap M
Acts 11: 21b-26; 13: 1-3/ Ps 97(98): 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6/ Mt 5: 17-19
From today’s readings: “ Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill!”
St. Barnabas
Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation,” was one of the first to excitedly approach the fledgling Church and declare himself “all in” (cf. Acts 4:36). He later put himself on the line to welcome Paul after his conversion (cf. Acts 9:27), and then, along with Paul, was designated by the Holy Spirit for missionary work (cf. 13:1-13).
As a pastor, I can attest to the wonderful difference a new “son of encouragement” can make, how a Christian community can suddenly thrive with renewed spiritual vitality when even just one person “filled with the Holy Spirit and faith” steps forward with a burning commitment to live the faith fully and help and encourage others to do the same!
As Christians, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, so while our relationship with our Lord is always central, it’s not enough to just work on our own personal spiritual development and neglect our affect on others - we all need to contribute to the team spirit as well, following the example of St. Barnabas, so that we might even perhaps merit his nickname for our own commitment to console and encourage the Christians of this time and place.
Acts 11: 21b-26; 13: 1-3/ Ps 97(98): 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6/ Mt 5: 17-19
From today’s readings: “ Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill!”
St. Barnabas
Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement” or “son of consolation,” was one of the first to excitedly approach the fledgling Church and declare himself “all in” (cf. Acts 4:36). He later put himself on the line to welcome Paul after his conversion (cf. Acts 9:27), and then, along with Paul, was designated by the Holy Spirit for missionary work (cf. 13:1-13).
As a pastor, I can attest to the wonderful difference a new “son of encouragement” can make, how a Christian community can suddenly thrive with renewed spiritual vitality when even just one person “filled with the Holy Spirit and faith” steps forward with a burning commitment to live the faith fully and help and encourage others to do the same!
As Christians, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, so while our relationship with our Lord is always central, it’s not enough to just work on our own personal spiritual development and neglect our affect on others - we all need to contribute to the team spirit as well, following the example of St. Barnabas, so that we might even perhaps merit his nickname for our own commitment to console and encourage the Christians of this time and place.
posted by FrPitstick | 6/07/2008
<< Home