Feast Day of St. Barnabas, our Patron Saint
Wednesday June 11th, was the Feast Day of St. Barnabas, our Patron Saint, and today I would like to look at who he was, and how we, carry on that spiritual legacy. As we heard in our prayer, Barnabas gave generously (of both his time and his life, and also of his resources). His focus was ever on Christ, and the support of His Church.
We learn about St. Barnabas directly from the Book of Acts: In Chapter 4:36-37 we hear that: “There was a Levite from Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
This first reference in the New Testament to Barnabas introduces us to the man whose missionary efforts would cause him to be called, like the Twelve, an apostle. As a Jew of the Dispersion, he had a lot in common with Paul. When Paul came to Jerusalem after his conversion, the disciples were afraid to receive him, due to his murderous reputation.
In Acts 9:27, we read that it was Barnabas himself who brought Paul to the apostles, and declared to them how, on the road to Damascus, Paul had seen the Lord, and had preached boldly in the name of Jesus! Later, Barnabas, having settled in Antioch, sent for Paul to join him in leading the Christian Church in that city.
Lets hear the account of this in Acts 11:19-26:
“Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’”
It was in Antioch, with Barnabas & Paul, That Christians were first called Christians! From there, Barnabas and Paul were sent by the disciples in Antioch to carry famine relief to the Church in Jerusalem. Upon their return, the Church in Antioch sent them on their first missionary journey beginning at Cyprus.
At Lystra in Asia Minor, the superstitious people there believed they were gods! They thought the eloquent Paul was Mercury, the messenger of the gods, and Barnabas to be Jupiter, the chief of the gods. This gives us an idea of how commanding the presence of Barnabas must have been!
As it sometimes happens, there was a fissure between Barnabas and Paul, after this journey stemming from a disagreement about Mark, who had left the mission to return to Jerusalem. So, after attending the Council of Jerusalem with Barnabas, Paul made a return visit to the Churches he and Barnabas had founded in Asia Minor. Instead, Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus, A Roman island in the Mediterranean home to many important trade routes. This was a strategic place to share the Gospel, And became the place where Barnabas is traditionally honored as the founder of the Church.
We know that Barnabas continued his journeys for the Gospel, because Paul mentions him several times in his letters to the Galatians, the Corinthians, and the Colossians. Tradition tells that Barnabas was martyred in Salamis in Cyprus, when he was pulled out of the synagogue while preaching.
In so many ways, St. Barnabas is a continuation of the account we heard in our reading from Ecclesiasticus. The mighty work of God Through Abraham, Isaac and Moses. Faithful Patriarchs loved by the Lord, That gave their life to serving him. And we, through Jesus Christ, also get to be a part of this legacy:
We are invited to be a part of the story of Scripture – To know we are loved by the Lord, To give our life to serving him, and to share the Gospel, encouraging others, Just like St. Barnabas. Amen
The Rev. Audrey Sutton
Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Collect from the Book of Common Prayer for Saint Barnabas the Apostle.