Thoughts for the Day

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen travelled 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 associated with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians’.

At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Today we remember one of the Apostolic Fathers, Barnabas. Though not named among the 12 original Apostles, Barnabas emerges in the Acts of the Apostles as one of the most significant of their number. He sold his estate and gave the proceeds to the church (Acts 4.36-37) since all things were to be held in common, and clearly became a leader. He is described as a Levite from Cyprus so, like his friend Saul (ie Paul), was from the Greek world rather than that of Palestine, and he introduced Paul to the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. He was sent to Antioch apparently to guide the Christians there in their relations with non-Jewish converts, promoting the concept of all being one in Christ and as such was one of the founders of the church, as we can see from today's reading. Paul was originally his assistant, but Barnabas broke with Paul to go to Cyprus and tradition has it that he was martyred there in the year 61 CE. His reputed tomb is near the Monastery of St Barnabas in the ancient city of Salamis, whose Christian community was largely established by Barnabas and Paul.

Perhaps what we can learn from Barnabas was his generosity in giving away his estate for the good of the Christian community, and his willingness to take the Gospel news to strangers and also to the land of his birth. He preached and taught the people at a time when he would have had rudimentary understanding of what had happened, but equally he had the confidence to teach them about Jesus Christ who died and rose again to save all people. Today 78% of the population in Cyprus identify as Christian, largely Greek Orthodox, but also a number of other denominations.

Collect

Bountiful God, giver of all gifts,
who poured Your Spirit upon Your servant Barnabas
and gave him grace to encourage others:
help us, by his example,
to be generous in our judgements
and unselfish in our service.
Amen.