Feast of St. Barnabas
The true companion Matthew 5:13-16 Who is St. Barnabas? Saint Barnabas was born in Cyprus. He was one of the early converts in Jerusalem and vouched for St Paul when he appeared before the elders there. He accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey and later went to Cyprus with his cousin John Mark (Mark the evangelist) to preach the gospel there. (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02300a.htm) Who is the "companion" today? He can be a "co-journeyer"; a friend to stay with us in our journey. He is a "co-discerner"; someone who thinks with us in making the right decision. And here's my favorite theme in my formation in the seminary; we are "co-responsible" for our formation. A companion joins us in our formation to perfection in God so we can realize what we are supposed to do in this world. Such is St. Barnabas. And we can be companions too if our task is to lead others to heaven.