Saint Barnabas the Apostle

The Collect
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. Amen.

The Psalm
112

The Readings

Isaiah 42:5-12     +     Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3     +     Matthew 10:7-16

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.

~ Acts 11:21-24

Although he was not one of the Twelve, we know more about the apostle Barnabas than we do about many of them. We hear of his ministry throughout the book of Acts and in Paul's letters. He is first introduced at the end of Acts chapter 4, where we learn that Barnabas means "son of encouragement," a name given to him by the apostles.

Most of us today probably don't think much about the meaning of a name. But as we see throughout the Bible, names are important (and this remains true in many cultures today). Names communicate identity, not only by family connection, but through, for example, relating circumstances surrounding a birth, or a sense of belonging, or of loss, or a perceived calling. Particularly noteworthy are biblical instances in which a "a new name" is given, often by God; e.g. Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter. These name changes reflect critical junctures in the lives of those receiving the name, a new understanding of who they are and where they fit in God's story. 

"Son of Encouragement" is quite a name. And from what we see of Barnabas in Acts, it seems the apostles named him well. It makes me wish I had known him personally. It also has me wondering by what name the apostles would call me. 

Take a moment and consider: if you received a new name from God, or from someone close to God, what might that name be? What would it communicate about who you are, and your place in God's story? If, perhaps, you fear or simply don't know what that name would be, ask God to place within you a vision of the man or woman whose name you would be proud to bear. And pray for grace to step into that identity.   

Closing Prayer

O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the Spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~ BCP, p. 125