One could not find a better model of openness to the Holy Spirit and Christ-like service than the example shown by St. Barnabas whom we celebrate on June 11.
His given name was Joseph who, according to the book of Acts, was a Levite from Cyprus. Levites were members of the priestly Hebrew tribe of Levi. While priests had to be descendents of Aaron, most Levites held lesser ceremonial offices such as cantors for Temple services, caretakers of the Temple, teachers, judges, and other important roles.
Levites also maintained cities of refuge in biblical times. One might guess that Joseph could have had a role in serving refugees and sanctuary seekers, being known for his generosity and compassion. His friends among the early apostles gave him the name Barnabas, meaning “son of consolation” or “son of encouragement,” and the name stuck. The book of Acts describes him as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (11:24).
When the other apostles at the time were afraid of the new convert Saul (who later became Paul) because of his ruthless persecution of the followers of the Way, it was Barnabas who befriended him, listened to his story, and defended him to the other apostles. Paul chose Barnabas to be his partner in ministry, preaching the Gospel in Antioch, Jerusalem, Cyprus, Perga, and many other cities around the Mediterranean region. It is believed that Barnabas was martyred in 61 CE in his native town of Salamis on Cyprus and was buried secretively by his nephew John Mark.
Barnabas’s life illustrates Benedict’s second step of humility, that we “love not our own will nor take pleasure in the satisfaction of our desires; rather we shall imitate by our actions that saying of Christ’s: ‘I have come not to do my own will, but the will of the One who sent me’.[1] His life is also an example of the love and confidence we can have in serving Christ by surrendering to the power of the Holy Spirit.
[1] Joan Chittester’s translation, The Rule of Benedict: Insight for the Ages. (New York: Crossroad, 1992), 66.
Improbable Benedictine 