Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Wendesday of the 10th week in ordinary time, June 11, 2025, Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Delivered by Samuel Ivan Gunarsa from the Parish of Mary of All the Nations in the Diocese of Bogor, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 11: 21b-26; 13: 1-3; Rs psalm 98: 2-3ab.3c-4.5-6; Matthew 10: 7-13.THE GIFT OF A CREDIBLE PERSON The title for our meditation today is:The Gift of A Credible Person. There are four children in a family. The eldestwas a 14-year-old son and he was expected by his parents to look after histhree younger siblings. The expectation was realized with the role of theeldest son who became a good and responsible brother and guard. Wheneverparents were on their trip and happened to spend the night outside, theybelieved that the eldest and his younger siblings would be fine and safe. The eldest son is a trusted child. Heis considered a supporter, guardian, and giver of security and comfort. Oneword that can represent all these is a credible person. A credible person whocan be trusted to carry out a responsibility is a sign of maturity as human person.When Jesus left the apostles and disciples to go up to heaven, he knew thatthey were all ready with their credibility. They must take over the missions ofJesus Christ to be the signs and bearers of God’s love to the whole world. One of them was Saint Barnabas, acontemporary apostle of Saint Paul during the missionary service and mission ofthe Early Church. Credibility is a gift of virtue that everyone can have withthe grace of God and developed through a process of becoming mature or stable.But what happened to Saint Barnabas was something unique. The uniqueness islike this. A Historical record relating to the Acts of the Apostles tells usthat his real name was Joseph. This Joseph's name is a popular name for theJewish people. We remember the name of Jesus' adoptive father, Saint Joseph. Joseph was entrusted by the EarlyChurch in Jerusalem to be with Paul to take care of the rapidly growing Churchin Antioch. Why was a disciple of Jesus, Joseph, chosen? Because he was acredible person. As the partner of the great apostle Paul, he must be someonewho was also great and qualified, so that the Church can be nurtured andmaintained in accordance with what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Churchdesired. On that basis, the name "Joseph" was replaced with"Barnabas". This new name does mean "credible son" or atrusted and convincing person. In the city of Antioch, for the firsttime the community of followers of Christ which was very well organized byBarnabas as leader of the Church and Paul as the apostle, was called Christian.The name "Christian" that we have today certainly needs to be linkedwith the credibility of the followers of Christ. We need to continue to striveto be credible followers of Christ, with the support of the prayers andblessings of Saint Barnabas. Let's pray. In the name of theFather... O Lord Jesus Christ, grant us Your blessing that we may become Yourcredible disciples to witness the Kingdom to the world. Glory to the Father andto the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father ...