Daily Retreat 06/11/09
2009 Jun 11 Thu:Barnabas, ap M
Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3/Ps 97(98):1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6/Mt 5:20-26
From today’s readings: “The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.... The Lord has revealed to the nations His saving power.... Give as a gift what you have received as a gift....”
Son of Encouragement
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).
Having served 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, being selfish with our gifts and neglecting 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 as a reflection of 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 5:20-26
From today’s readings: “The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.... The Lord has revealed to the nations His saving power.... Give as a gift what you have received as a gift....”
Son of Encouragement
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).
Having served 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, being selfish with our gifts and neglecting 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 as a reflection of our own commitment to console and encourage the Christians of this time and place.
posted by FrPitstick | 6/08/2009
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