June 11: Saint Barnabas / San Bernabé

According to the Acts of the Apostles, St. Barnabas, whose feastday we celebrate today, was one of the most amiable and life-promoting members among the early Christians. St. Luke calls him “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” A trusted confidant of many, he shared much of his property with the poor, and it was he who helped the former persecutor, St. Paul (formerly Saul), to gain entry to the Christian community in Jerusalem. As portrayed in Acts, St. Barnabas had the sort of unselfish, encouraging personality that made him a great ambassador for the Gospel. He was the perfect delegate to be sent by the Apostles to support the growing Church in Antioch. (Acts 11, 21-26; 13, 1-3)

St. Barnabas’ given name was Josef, but Barnabas was added as a nickname which means “son of encouragement.” Following His example, may we be sure to look for ways to encourage others today. Let us also be open to recognizing the workings of the Holy Spirit of God, refusing to pass on even one small chance to be sharers of the Good News.

***

Hoy celebramos la memoria de San Bernabé. San Pablo debió mucho a este gran misionero, ya que San Bernabé le involucró en el trabajo misionero entre los cristianos de Antioquía, de origen pagano. El Libro de los Hechos califica a Bernabé como “profeta y maestro” y también como “un hombre bueno, lleno del Espíritu Santo, y de mucha fe.” Tenía un espíritu abierto, convencido de que, si un pagano tenía fe, eso era ya suficiente para admitirle como cristiano. Inspirados por el Espíritu, los líderes de la comunidad de Antioquía enviaron a San Pablo y a San Bernabé en misión apostólica.

Para reflejar: Podemos ser cristianos preguntándonos todo el tiempo si esto es pecado o no es pecado. O podemos ser cristianos, fieles al ejemplo de San Bernabé, pensando en qué podemos hacer para construir unas relaciones humanas más fraternales y más justas, en definitiva, para ir haciendo del Reino una realidad en nuestra vida y en la vida de los que nos rodean.