Son of Encouragement

Homily for the Memorial of St. Barnabas

Certain memorials in the liturgical calendar are called “privileged memorials,” a title that seems to suggest that this memorial is special. Privileged memorials are marked by the fact that one of the readings is specific to the Saint or event that we are celebrating. St. Barnabas is accorded this honor.

The Scriptures today let us glimpse the quiet, steady grace that made Barnabas so essential to the early Church. The Acts of the Apostles tells us that “a great number” came to the Lord because the hand of God was with the disciples — but the Church grew in a particular way when Barnabas arrived. He was the one who could see God’s grace in people, draw it out, and strengthen it. His very name means son of encouragement, and that is exactly how the Spirit used him.

Barnabas does something profound. He builds communion. He brings Saul into the life of the Church when others are afraid. He forms a missionary partnership that will carry the Gospel far beyond Antioch. And when the community discerns a new mission, Barnabas is among those who fast, pray, and listen together. His holiness is not loud; it is relational, generous, and deeply trusting in God’s work in others.

Jesus’ words in Matthew sharpen this point. He tells us that righteousness is not merely avoiding harm but actively repairing relationships. Anger, insult, division — these fracture the communion God desires. Barnabas shows the opposite: he reconciles, he encourages, he draws people back into unity. He embodies the righteousness that “surpasses,” because he refuses to let fear or suspicion have the last word.

Even today, Barnabas invites us to become instruments of encouragement. To notice grace in one another. To heal small fractures before they widen. To let our presence strengthen the communion Christ is building in this community of consecrated religious and lay people who worship together.

May the Lord grant us Barnabas’ generous heart, so that through our encouragement, others may find their way more deeply into the joy of the Gospel.