In this posting we continue with Barnabas and the role he played in the life of John Mark. But first we see Barnabas the missionary. He was set aside by the Spirit together with Paul to bring the Gospel message to the Gentiles. In Acts 12:25, we read, “After Barnabas and Saul completed their relief mission, they returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, who is called Mark.” It means Barnabas can truly be called a man of many parts. Not only that he was son of encouragement, he worked in ‘Catholic Relief Services’ office. I guess part of his job description was to beg for money, food and clothes for those who suffered from natural disasters or were simply lacking the basic necessities of life. What a man! In spite of this, let us not forget that he was a prophet and a prayerful man. If you doubt me, listen to this, “Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them, off.” This was the first missionary journey of Paul, taking the Gospel message to the Gentiles. It seems to me that Barnabas was a fearless preacher as we see in Acts 14. “In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue together and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks came to believe, although the disbelieving Jews stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. So they stayed for a considerable period, speaking out boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the word about is grace by granting signs and wonders to occur through their hands.”
Life’s lesson cannot be ignored which states clearly that whatever has a beginning must also have an end. And so it was that the wonderful friendship and team spirit that characterized the work of Paul and Barnabas had to come to an end because of John Mark who deserted them during the first missionary journey. It was Paul’s desire to go back and visit the churches that he and Barnabas had established. But Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along. Paul would not hear of it. In Acts 15:36-41 we witnessed the separation between this two friends and fellow workers. Barnabas stood by John Mark, the weakest link and we are told, “so sharp was their disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.” It seems to me that Barnabas figured out that Paul had gained enough confidence, trust and recognition on his own, therefore, it was okay for Paul to continue on his own. He saw the greatness in Paul, he still believed in him but he also felt the need to build this same trust and confidence in Mark. Today, Mark is a great evangelist who gave us the Gospel bearing his name. And Paul? He is one of the greatest missionaries of all time, a great preacher, a powerful and prolific writer who single handedly wrote 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Thanks to the encouragement of Barnabas!
Today Barnabas is not as popular in the Christian world as Mark and Paul. Yet, in my opinion, Barnabas is the greatest of them all. I am sure Barnabas, being such a great and humble man felt like John the Baptist who said, referring to Christ, “No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said (that) I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:28-30).
Humility is the best virtue to use in describing people like John the Baptist, Barnabas and the many men and women who have stood by us so that we could be the people that we are today. They do nothing for themselves, but everything for others. Their greatest joy is in seeing that others succeed in life. It seems to me that Barnabas had what it took to master himself; he conquered his ego and subdued it to the point that the only thing that mattered in his life was not himself but others. Fulton J. Sheen described this poignantly in his differentiation between the ego, (what I call the unredeemed self) and the I, (the redeemed self). He said, “The difference between the person in whom the ego, or selfishness, dominates and the person in whom the I, or personality, dominates spells the difference between false gaiety and true happiness, between neurotic and normal living. The ego – mask he will show the world – is the central interest of his life; all desires, thoughts, and affections, are valued in respect to this. The I, or the real self, which bears the Divine Image, is very weak in him and influences only a small area of the circumference of his life.”
Let us therefore, salute the many men and women who have acted like Barnabas for us. Look around you today and identify those that need you. There are many out there that need encouragement, appreciation and love from you. Please do not look away from them. Think of what would have happened to you if there were no Barnabas in your life. Please give a helping hand and you will be happy you deed. May Barnabas, the patron saint of all sons and daughters of encouragement pray for you today and always.
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