Saturday 11 June

St. Barnabas

Acts 11:21-26,13:1-3 Ps.98, Matthew 10:7-13

A faithful friend

Barnabas is chiefly remembered as the companion of St. Paul, but he is far more than that. Barnabas was the man with courage enough to stand sponsor to Paul when everyone else suspected and feared him. He became Paul’s friend and companion but later they parted company. Their younger companion, John Mark, had deserted them once and Paul refused to take him into their company again. Barnabas decided to remain with Mark, so he and Paul separated. It is perhaps Barnabas’ unswerving friendship that enabled Mark to redeem himself.

Am I called to be a forgiving and faithful friend to someone?