June 11, 2026 - Thursday, Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Acts 11:21b–26; 13:1–3
Saint Barnabas is one of the most beautiful figures in the Acts of the Apostles.
He does not appear as loudly as Peter. He does not write letters like Paul. But without Barnabas, the early Church would have been poorer.
He is first introduced as a man who sold a field, brought the money, and placed it at the feet of the apostles. In other words, Barnabas did what the rich young man in the Gospel could not do. The rich young man met Jesus, heard His call, but went away sad because he had many possessions. Barnabas went the other way.
He was a Jew from Cyprus, from the tribe of Levi. His original name was Joseph. But the apostles gave him another name: Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.”
Some people enter a room and bring fear. Some bring criticism. Some bring division.
Barnabas brought courage.
After Paul’s conversion, many Christians in Jerusalem were afraid of him. They remembered him as a persecutor. They did not trust him. They wondered whether his conversion was real.
Then Barnabas stepped in and became Paul’s advocate.
He saw grace where others saw only the past. He saw a brother where others saw danger. He saw a future apostle where others saw a former enemy.
That is the heart of encouragement.
Later, Barnabas is sent to Antioch, where many non-Jews are beginning to believe in Jesus. The Gospel was crossing boundaries of culture, language, and religion.
Barnabas did not respond with suspicion. He rejoiced. He encouraged them to remain faithful to the Lord.
Saint Luke gives us a simple but powerful description of him:
“He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.”
That may be the best summary of Barnabas.
There is an ancient Christian writing connected with the name of Barnabas. It begins from the heart of the Gospel: Jesus loved us. The Book of Revelation says it even more personally: Jesus loves us.
That love led Jesus to the Cross. That love forgives sinners. That love builds the Church. That love sends witnesses into the world.
Barnabas lived from that love.
He gave what he had. He strengthened the weak. He defended the one others rejected. He helped the Church welcome new believers. He served the Gospel without needing to be the center.
Today, we need Christians like Barnabas.
People who encourage without flattering. People who correct without crushing. People who notice grace in others. People who help the young, the wounded, and the doubtful take one more step toward Christ.
May Saint Barnabas pray for us, that we may become sons and daughters of encouragement, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and brave enough to witness to Jesus without counting the cost.
Scripture Attribution
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993
the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of
Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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