my Catholic.com

One Bread, One Body - Reflection for June 11, 2009

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

"The gift you have received, give as a gift." –Matthew 10:8

God gave Barnabas many gifts. Barnabas used all of them for Jesus. So God kept pouring out more gifts upon Barnabas as Barnabas kept pouring out his life in loving service to God (see Mt 13:12). Barnabas was:

• an almsgiver (Acts 4:36-37; 11:30; 12:25),
• a Scripture teacher (Acts 11:26; 13:1; 15:35),
• a prophet (Acts 13:1),
• a missionary (Acts 13:2),
• chosen (Acts 13:2),
• a discipler who took the timid Mark (Acts 15:39) and helped him grow into an evangelist,
• fearless and bold (Acts 14:3),
• humble, as he allowed Paul to take over his leadership role in the first Christian mission (see Acts 13:7, 13),
• an apostle (Acts 14:14),
• persecuted (Acts 14:5-6),
• intrepid, risking his reputation by personally vouching for Paul, a former persecutor of Christians (Acts 9:26-27),
• such an encourager (Acts 11:23) that the apostles renamed him "son of encouragement" (Acts 4:36),
• a man submitted to the authority of the Church (Acts 4:37; 15:2ff), and
• fruitful (Acts 11:24-26).

Barnabas used whatever gifts he had to serve God. Give your entire self to the Lord. He will bear fruit through you and then give you even more (see Mt 25:28-29).

< Prev | Next >

Acknowledgement

Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:

· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College