11 June 2014
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
In the midst of a week of Ordinary Time, we are privy to have the feast of St. Barnabas placed in the middle of the week. Born in Cyprus and whose given name (Joseph) was changed to Barnabas after his conversion, he sold what he owned and presented it the Apostles (Acts 4:36-37). Barnabas vouches for Saul/Paul after Saul’s conversion in Jerusalem to the other Apostles (Acts 9:25-27). Barnabas then becomes one of Paul’s early traveling companions as the two of them journeyed around the Mediterranean Sea preaching about Christ (Acts 9-15). During these journeys, we learn that it “was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 13:3). Eventually, an argument breaks out between Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas sails with John Mark to Cyprus, while Paul and Silas travel to Syria (Acts 15:36-41). Tradition holds he was stoned to death in 61 A.D. in Salamis, a maritime town on the eastern coast of Cyprus.
St. Barnabas, pray for us.