Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle
Theme: “He was a good man”
On this Saturday of the 10th week in ordinary time, the church celebrates the memorial of St. Barnabas. He was a man whom the scripture referred to as a good man. He is described with two wonderful attributes that you and I as followers of Christ should pray to have in our lives. He was referred to as a man who had the Holy Spirit and faith. These are two wonderful attributes that will help our call to discipleship as children of God. His faith and convictions guided all that he did as he promoted his faith in God. He eventually gave his life for his believe and faith in God. As we celebrate St. Barnabas today, it presents us the opportunity to ask very important questions that we need to answer as individuals. The question is, how will people describe you when you are no more? In your absence will people confidently say you were a good man or woman when you were alive? We don’t live our lives to be applauded by people, but we should live our life in such a way that it will be pleasing to God and also help us attain salvation at the end of our earthly pilgrimage. This is very possible for all those who work for it and trust in the grace of God. Humanly speaking, it may be a difficult task to accomplish, but with God everything is possible; simply put, what God cannot do does not exist.
My brothers and sisters in Christ let us be careful about our lifestyle. The lives of our Ancestors in faith that we celebrate should encourage us and strengthen our faith in God. Some of them went through worse situations than whatever we are going through at the moment in our life, but did not give up on God. In the same way, let us stand firm and trust in God, he will not fail or disappoint us when we need him the most. He is ever faithful and reliable. Times and seasons, come and go but the faithfulness of God remains forever.
As we continue to strive to become better Christians, may almighty God bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.