Today is the feast of St. Barnabas who is my favorite person in the Bible. Barnabas was actually a nickname, meaning "Son of Encouragement," and that's why I like him so much. He's the one who brought Saul/Paul to Antioch and worked with him for a year before they went out on their journeys. He's the one who said Mark should be given a second chance even though Mark had bailed on them the first time. He seemed to bring out the good in people, and isn't that what encouragement is?
The prayer for St. Barnabas emphasizes his generosity, how he "gave generously of his life and substance for the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel." But I think the generosity towards others is just as important, that the people who are the church are a resource as well, and one we too readily squander.
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