Towards the end of the school year a number of our students
received letters from their pen pals from Ghana, Africa. It was cool reading through the names
of these students which were clearly Christian: Faith, Charity, Mary, Fidelis
(Latin for faith) and even Patience.
In the Scriptures, names are significant—especially when they are
changed. Even today some cultures
name their children for a virtue or quality they pray the child will grow into.
St.
Barnabas’ name was actually Joseph.
He received the name Barnabas—which means son of encouragement—after the apostles witnessed his
encouragement, support and zeal among the early Christians. After arriving in Antioch Barnabas “saw the grace of God…rejoiced and
encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in
firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with
the Holy Spirit and faith.”
In
our world today we need more encouragers
like Barnabas. Each of us
appreciates being affirmed and loves a compliment, so why not give these out
abundantly to others? When we love
someone, we must never tire of letting them know
of our love. So, too, we must be
diligent about affirming our family, friends and coworkers.
On
this memorial of St. Barnabas may we also be sons and daughters of
encouragement.
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