Image from St. Barnabas Church, Southfields, UK.
Acts 11:19-26
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’.
PRAYER
Grant, O God, that we may follow the example of your faithful servant Barnabas, who, seeking not his own renown but the well-being of your Church, gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Thank you for providing this in God's praise and praise of St. Barnabas, whose witness overflows still in God's church.
ReplyDeleteI find sometimes the Scriptures can be so rich that I overlook things if I feed in too sustained a way; I'm sure I read of Barnabas many times, passed exams on this text for sure, but the Acts are so amazing and dense upon one another at first, great things are sometimes easy to miss in plain sight. The first missionary journey to Cyprus with Barnabas and Silas, and others, not named but gifted richly. The Ancient Assembly of the people of Antioch, where we were first called "Christians," and where Paul was met, healed, and trained. All there told in a short readable text: beautifully and completely, near enough, as we say in my neck of the woods. Thanks be to God, as all Creation says, or is groaning to.
Johnieb, it was not so very long ago that I took note of the passage in Acts which speaks of the followers of Jesus first being called Christians at Antioch.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that we can read words time and time again and miss the obvious. But the Scriptures are living words to me, and perhaps we take from them what we need at a particular time.
Ma Cher Grandmere,
ReplyDeleteI come from the other side of the liturgical tracks, as it were; it is a blessing for me to anticipate being reminded of these things in years to come through my Church's nurturing Presence, through the remembrance of this person's--St Barnabas's--witness to God's Love in Christ Jesus. That was part of my implication also.
Peace & Blessing to you
Johnieb, I was taught not to mix with folks from the other side of the track, but for you, I make an exception. ;o)
ReplyDeleteGod's peace and blessings to you.
Exactly, ma'am; my HS friends were all fresh out of Parochial school. I got permission from the RC Bishop in Little Rock to attend an entire Mass (??) when I was fifteen. Yes, Latin.
ReplyDeleteMy own grandmere--one of them--is probably still whirling for more than one reason, but associating with Papists would certainly be one of them. Blessedly, I never cared what Grandma don' 'low, being defended by her daughter; as you pointed out, it just aint in me to be "good", try as I may.
Johnieb, you needed permission to attend mass? We were worse than I knew back then.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I met a Protestant until I was in high school. Can you believe that?
All that 16 years of RC schooling for nothing. I ended up a heretic and an apostate.