Saint Barnabas, Apostle 

Acts 11:21-26,​13:1-3
Psalm 97(98):1-6
Matthew 5:13-16

GIVE GLORY AND PRAISE TO GOD AND DRAW OTHERS CLOSER TO HIM

In today’s gospel, we are told by Christ Himself that we are the light of the world. Our world needs true light that will guide it out of conflict and the darkness of sin into the true radiance of the Father’s glory.

We are that light but if we don’t let our light shine then the world will never be saved. We are called upon today to say ‘yes’ to the Lord, as Barnabas the companion of St. Paul did.

By the way, Barnabas was not his real name. Joseph was his name. The nickname Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement.” And so he was.

Barnabas, for example, believed in Paul, even though Paul had once been a feared persecutor of Christians and no one believed him; they stayed away from him; and refused to trust this Christian hater.

He saw something special in Paul. Barnabas was willing to stake his reputation on Paul. He encouraged Paul to join him in the mission. And Paul became the great Apostle to the Gentiles.

Barnabas also encouraged his cousin Mark to join them in the mission. And what became of Mark? He became an evangelist of the Church, the first to write the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus.

Our sincere, hospitable, caring for others is a way of giving glory to God – of saying “Yes” to God. This is true especially if we say a little prayer or offer our good attitude to God as a gift of praise.

Others will be blessed by God because of our being concerned for them. How can you amplify the goodness of a brother or sister and shed light on his/her being a person loved by God?

PRAYER
Grace puts us in the presence of God.
May God give us the grace to radiate His light and truth to others in words and deeds. Amen.

Fr Joseph Osho