Daily Readings | The Encourager's Empire: How One Man's Yes Changed History | June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025 - Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle - Daily Readings from the Catholic Lectionary

When apostles needed someone to check suspicious reports from Antioch, they sent Barnabas—Son of Encouragement. That choice changed everything. He saw joy where others saw chaos, offered encouragement where others felt panic. Then he did something revealing his character: brought back Paul, the former persecutor everyone feared. While others hoarded opportunity, Barnabas shared it. His encouragement didn't just make people feel better—it made impossible things possible.

Saint Barnabas (originally Joseph, nicknamed "Son of Encouragement" by the apostles) was a Levite from Cyprus who became crucial to early Christianity's expansion beyond Jewish boundaries. His intervention around 35-37 CE helped Paul gain acceptance by the Jerusalem apostles after his conversion, when others feared the former persecutor.

Barnabas's mission to Antioch (around 40-42 CE) proved pivotal for Christian history. Antioch was the Roman Empire's third-largest city, with significant Jewish and Gentile populations. When the Gospel spread there following Stephen's martyrdom, it marked Christianity's first major expansion beyond Palestine.

The designation "Christians" (Christianoi) was first used in Antioch around 42-44 CE, coined by outsiders who observed this new community that transcended traditional religious and ethnic boundaries. Barnabas's year of teaching there with Paul established Antioch as Christianity's first major Gentile center.

The first missionary journey (Acts 13-14, around 46-48 CE) began when the Antioch church commissioned Barnabas and Paul. Though Paul became more prominent, Barnabas remained the senior partner initially. Their later disagreement over John Mark (Acts 15:36-40) led to separate missions, with Barnabas mentoring Mark while Paul partnered with Silas.

Barnabas's legacy demonstrates how encouragement and grace-based leadership enabled Christianity's transformation from Jewish sect to global movement, making him essential to the apostolic foundation of the Church.

In today’s reflection, you’ll discover:
1. How Barnabas's encouragement transformed Paul from feared outsider to apostle to nations
2. Why choosing grace over fear when evaluating people's potential changes history
3. What it means to build God's kingdom through developing others rather than protecting position
4. How encouragement becomes instrumental in God's larger purposes beyond individual comfort

📖 Readings
Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6
Matthew 5:17-19

⏱️ Timeline
00:00 Introduction
00:15 Reading I - Acts 11:21b-26;13:1-3
01:28 Psalm Response - Psalm 98:1,2-3ab,3cd-4,5-6
04:39 Gospel - Matthew 5:17-19
05:18 Reflection

Perfect for leaders, mentors, or anyone called to develop others' potential rather than building personal kingdoms.

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