Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostles

Scripture Readings

Why are so many people interested in obituaries in the newspaper or online?  Do we want to see if we know anyone listed?  Or might we be curious to read about a life well lived?

Obituaries often cover the names of the survivors, and many times refer to the deceased as a loving wife or loving husband, a loving sister or loving brother.  Is this then the definition of a life well lived?  Families left behind struggle with the cost and limitations of a newspaper obituary.  They try to capture the life of their loved one in a few words.  When reading obituaries, we often glean little about the person and they lived a good life. 

Today we remember is the apostle St. Barnabas.  Barnabas is described as a “good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith”.  Because of his encouragement, large numbers of people were added to the church.  This then is a great example of a life well lived.  To be called by the Holy Spirit, to bring others to the Lord. 

The gospel today, is part of the of the Sermon on the Mount.  All of the verses in this chapter are teachings or the rules about the way to live as a Christian.  Jesus senses that his presence and teachings are causing people to think that he is abolishing the law and the prophets.  His teachings challenge us, as it did then, to understand with new hearts the law of the Lord.  Jesus was trying to teach the law from God’s loving point of view as a way to keep us safe, and as a way to build the kingdom of God by living what we believe.  This is the challenge that Barnabas accepted.  To live out his faith so that others will come to believe. 

We are also reminded in today’s readings that a life well lived is a life that is guided by the Spirit, and one that is rooted in prayer and fasting.  The Holy Spirit spoke to the prophets and teachers at Antioch after they worshiped the Lord and fasted.  This is a reminder that our lives must also be filled with prayer and fasting, a challenge that is difficult in this modern world.  But we may only be able to hear the Lord if we take this time to worship. 

When our earthly life comes to an end, how will we be remembered?  Will our friends and family say that it was a life well lived?  Lord help to live with kindness and compassion and according to your will, so that at the end of our lives will hear from You, well done my good and faithful servant.

- Michael Montgomery