Barnabas, Apostle

Barnabas' name means "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36-37). Wouldn't it be great to have a name with such a great meaning? And Barnabas lived up to his name. He was a profound encouragement to Paul on his many missionary travels and therefore to the Church. Paul is a stalwart in the Christian Church, but he was never one to act alone, and he himself knew that he was nothing in the sight of God of himself. He needed people like Barnabas to be there for him, with him, to encourage him. We thank God not only for the saints that transcend the ordinary, but also, and maybe even especially, all those "ordinary" saints that are there for us when we need some encouragement. Those who don't get the headlines but quietly and faithfully carry out the task of making the Gospel known in help to those who are at the forefront.