St. Barnabas, Apostle

Isaiah 42:5–12
Acts 11:19–30; 13:1–3
Mark 6:7–13

St. Barnabas, Apostle

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, received the name Barnabas from the apostles (Acts 4:36–37). He was sent to Antioch to see “the grace of God” among the Hellenists, exhorting “them all to remain faithful to the Lord” (Acts 11:22–24). There, through His Church, the Holy Spirit “set apart … Barnabas and Saul for the work to which [He had] called them” (Acts 13:2). Just as Christ had sent out the 12 to proclaim repentance and cast out demons and heal the sick (Mark 6:7–13), so He now sent Paul and Barnabas to proclaim repentance and healing among the Gentiles. Still, this Word is not always received (Acts 13:44–52). Even within the Church, divisions threaten it. Barnabas knew this. He was at the Jerusalem council to see that the Gospel was preserved without mingling in the Law (Acts 15:2–4), and he parted ways with Paul over the usefulness of John Mark (Acts 15:36–41). Despite all these trials, St. Barnabas remained full of faith so the Gentiles could “give glory to the Lord, and declare his praise in the coastlands” (Is. 42:12). Thus, by the Lord’s calling and Spirit, Barnabas lived up to his new name: “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36).