Fr Bernard writes…
In today’s first reading two people are named, Paul, whose previous name was Saul, and Barnabas whose name means ‘son of encouragement.’ In the Acts of the Apostles Barnabas is described as ‘a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.’ whose encouragement resulted in many people persevering in their faith. Paul was one of those who benefited from being encouraged by Barnabas who went out on a limb in his support of Paul. Barnabas saw beyond the past history of a persecutor into the heart of a man who was struggling to be an apostle. Barnabas called out the best in Paul refusing to stay with his past but bringing him into a different present. He didn’t dwell on his faults, or his previous hatred of the Christians, he encouraged his new way of life as an apostle to the gentiles. He invested his time, his support, his energy in the person Paul could become, and that is the true meaning of encouragement. We can all thank God for the people who invested in us, who encouraged us to be the people we have become, and we can ask that when the time and the opportunities arise we can encourage others, we can be Barnabas to those experiencing difficulties so that together we can help build up the kingdom of God in the here and now.
Please note that this weekend, May 14th/15th, there will be only ONE celebration of Mass on Sunday 15th May at 10.00am when the principal celebrant will be Bishop Marcus
(Please see the Newsletter for up to date news)
