Dr Jeanette Pinto –
Everyone has that special person in his or her life who always inspires, supports and encourages you to become a better person. For most people in their growing up years, that person has been chiefly their mother, sometimes a spouse, or a friend and along life’s journey there have been others too. Motivation no doubt plays an integral role in our lives. Without a sense of zeal or vigour, it becomes difficult to accomplish a goal in life. It is important that someone mentors or fuels one with their guidance and encouragement. Also, at different points of time in one’s life a person needs that someone to steer you toward the path that will suit you or make you feel happy to enjoy life.
We come across a special person in the Bible, who was one of the twelve tribes, a Levite named Joseph, who was given the name of Barnabas. He was a Hellenized Jew who joined the Jerusalem Church soon after Christ’s crucifixion. In Hebrew the meaning of his name is ‘son of consolation’, ‘son of exhortation’, or even ‘Son of comfort’, but he is known as the ‘Son of Encouragement’. He is also referred to as a biblical first-century missionary companion of Saint Paul on his first missionary journey. He was one among those who founded the early Church in Antioch, where he preached.
In the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible we often come across the name of Barnabas often, that we begin to wonder who really was this man. Surely, he did not feature as one of the twelve original followers or Apostles of Jesus, nor was he a replacement for Judas Iscariot like Saint Mathias. But the so called “The Twelve” quickly disappeared after the Pentecost. After the Holy Spirit came into their lives, the twelve Apostles, like the miracle of five loaves and two fish multiplied into hundreds and then thousands of followers or successors. Later they were known as Episcopal or Presbyters, Overseers or Elders. Barnabas is one of the Christian leaders whose name surfaces immediately after the Resurrection. So, although he was not one of the inner Circle, he stood in the next outer ring of followers, almost in rank with Paul the Apostle. The citizens of Lysea in Asia Minor compared Barnabas to their Greek god Zeus.
Indeed, Barnabas was God’s chosen instrument in the growth of the Church. He was a dynamic force who like a typhoon swept from town to town in spreading the good news. Surely, he was a giant of that first generation of risk-taking apostolic leaders. So inspired was he with the new call of life lived by the Christians, that he sold his personal property and generously gave the proceeds to the Apostles to help people live in community. He also introduced Paul to the Christian community.
Saint Barnabas played a crucial role in the first unfurling of the Gospel message beyond Palestine. He was the key person who encouraged and clung to Saul from his hometown Tarsus to begin the extraordinary missionary efforts which would forever change the Church and the world. Both Paul and Barnabas became a strong team, they professed the faith, made disciples and strengthened the spirits of people. They faced many hardships, trials and persecutions as they traversed the port cities of the region, but continued to spread the good news drawing the faithful closer to the Lord.
Much information about Barnabas is to be found in the New Testament. A Jew once, now was one of the earliest converts to Christianity in Jerusalem, single mindedly following Jesus Christ. He was then sent to Antioch, Syria to look after the community there and he brought Paul with him. Later, when St Paul writes from his Roman prison in about 62 AD., he mentions that Mark, the cousin of Barnabas is with him. (Colossians 2:10) The absence of Barnabas at Paul’s side in his hour of need is a clue that Barnabas is likely to have died by this time.
There’s much that we learn from the life of Saint Barnabas? Firstly, and most importantly we learn that in ministry his focus was clear – God comes first. Secondly the growth of God’s Kingdom mattered to him very much that he persevered and ventured to take risks, however, he was also prudent. Finally, his generosity is much appreciated. Also, Barnabas was a team person always accompanied Paul and later involved John. He was neither self-centred, nor a solo player, in fact he won peoples’ hearts by his encouragement. All this put together makes him an important and rich character in the Bible.
Why is Saint Barnabas called the Apostle? Tradition tells us that Barnabas a man of integrity, was the founder of the Cypriot Church, and was the first Bishop of Milan. He and Paul the Apostle dedicated themselves to missionary journeys, which they undertook together and converted a large number of Gentiles to Christianity. It is believed that a Jewish mob being jealous of his successful preaching in the synagogue, stoned him to death. This happened about the year 61 AD in his native town of Salamis. His relics and memory are honoured in Cyprus to this day. His feast day is celebrated on June 11.
Dr. Jeannette is former Principal of Sophia College, member of Human Life Committee and a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chembur – Mumbai