Best Supporting Actor

We continue our trip through the Bible with today’s reading from Acts, a book that chronicles the early days of Christianity. Our focus is on Barnabas, who plays a minor role in Acts. His character is all about support and encouragement. We may recall that Saul (later Paul) was initially intent on crushing the belief in Jesus until his conversion on the road to Damascus. When Paul went back to Jerusalem to join the Christian movement, the leaders there rejected him because of his previous actions. It was Barnabas who encouraged them to accept the converted Paul. Perhaps if Barnabas had not encouraged Paul and encouraged the Christian leaders to accept him, we might not have had Paul as a major character in early Christianity. In part of today’s reading, Barnabas convinces Paul to come with him to Antioch, and the two of them prompt the growth of the Christian community there. Who in our lives has encouraged us? Are we ready to take on the role of one who encourages, much as Barnabas did?