Saint Barnabas

Saint
Barnabas

"a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith"

June 11th is the feast of our parish patron. Although not one of the Twelve, St. Barnabas was styled an apostle by St. Luke and the early Fathers. There is a tradition that he was one of the seventy-two disciples, but the Acts of the Apostles seem to indicate that he was converted shortly after Pentecost (about A.D. 30), immediately sold his property and devoted the proceeds, and himself to the church.

Of the Tribe of Levi he was born on the Island of Cyprus about the time of the Christian era, and was first called Joseph. The Apostles changed his name to Barnabas, which means Son of the Consolation, because of his talent ministering comfort to the afflicted. His success as a preacher and his heroic contempt of the world, made him the most esteemed and respected man of the Christian generation, with the exception of certain of the Twelve and St. Paul.

The Christians in Jerusalem were slow to accept St. Paul because they remember his former fanatical persecution. Barnabas, however, stood sponsor for him, and had him received by the Apostles. So impressed was Barnabas by Paul, that later on he chose Paul to accompany him to preach in Antioch to the gentiles. This work had been started by disciples in Cyprus and Cyrene, and Barnabas had been sent to investigate. He was pleased with the work, and when he returned with Paul, remained for a year and "taught a great multitude". When there was a famine in Jerusalem (A.D. 45), the Christians of Antioch sent offerings by Barnabas and Paul. On their return to Antioch St. John Mark (the Evangelist), a cousin of Barnabas accompanied them.

The three set out as missionaries to the Gentiles. Cyprus was first evangelized and then they crossed to Asia Minor. At Perge in Pamphylia, Mark left them, which Paul considered desertion. The two pushed on and preached together at Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra. Seleciax, Derbe and other cities.

At Lystra, the people took Paul for Mercury, and Barnabas for Jupiter and wanted to sacrifice a bull to them, but were prevented by the Apostles. Mob-like, they were soon persuaded by the Jews to turn on the Apostles and wounded Paul almost fatally. Despite opposition and persecution, they made many converts, organizing churches, ordaining presbyters and placing them over the faithful, so that they felt on returning to Antioch in Syria that God had "opened a door of faith to the Gentiles."

At the Council of Jerusalem (A.D. 47-51) Barnabas and Paul fought against the claim that circumcision was necessary for Gentile converts, and the decision was in their favor. Christianity was a world religion, not a Jewish sect. Shortly after this Barnabas and Paul separated. Paul took Silas to Asia Minor; Barnabas and Mark sailed to Cyprus.

Little more is known of Barnabas. He was laboring as an Apostle in 57 A.D. when Paul wrote his first Epistle to the Corinthians (ix 5-6). When Paul was a prisoner in Rome (61-63 A.D.), Mark was attached to him as a disciple, which would indicate that Barnabas had died. Various traditions, not too trustworthy, make him the first Bishop of Milan, as preaching at Alexandria and Rome, as having suffered martyrdom at Cyprus.

Breaking his reserve, St. Luke speaks of Barnabas with affection: "for he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith". His title to glory comes not only from his kindliness of heart, his personal sanctity and his missionary labors, but also from his readiness to lay aside his Jewish prejudices; from his large-hearted welcome of the Gentiles; from his recognition of Paul's worth. His charity to John Mark was rewarded by the valuable services later rendered to the Church.