St. Barnabas

St. Barnabas - Patron of Antioch - June 11th

Even though he was not one of Our Lord’s twelve Apostles, Barnabas is called an apostle by St. Luke because he received a special mission from God. He was a Jew and was born on the island of Cyprus. His name was Joseph, but the Apostles changed it to Barnabas, which means “son of consolation.”

As soon as he became a Christian, St. Barnabas sold all he owned and gave the money to the Apostles. He was a good, kind-hearted man, full of zeal to win souls to Christ. When he was sent to the city of Antioch to govern the new Christians there, he found that there were too many for only one man to guide. Then, because he was very humble, he asked St. Paul to come to share the government of the Church there with him. He was never interested in keeping honor for himself; he only wanted to give glory to God.

Sometime later, the Holy Ghost said through the prophets at Antioch: “Set apart for Me Paul and Barnabas for the work to which I have called them.” Not long afterwards, the two apostles set off on a daring missionary journey. They had many sufferings to bear and often risked their lives, but their preaching won many converts.

Later St. Barnabas went on another missionary journey, this time with his relative, John Mark. They went to St. Barnabas’ own country of Cyprus. So many convert did the Saint win there that he is called the Apostle of Cyprus.

When there is some good to be done, let us do it eagerly and only for God’s greater glory, not for praise.