🕂 The Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas.
Polyeleos Feast. Apostle’s Fast.
Acts 11:19-30; Luke 10:16-21.
Read Acts 11:19-30
Today the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas are commemorated and the Epistle and Gospel readings have been given to us by the Wisdom of the Tradition of the Church through holy and devout men and women.
From, “The Prologue from Ohrid; Lives of Saints, Hymns, Reflections and Homilies for Every Day of the Year” Saint Nikolai Velimirovich writes this specifically about the apostle Barnabas:
A true friend prays to God for his friend. A true friend is concerned about the salvation of the soul of his friend. To dissuade a friend from false paths and to direct him on the path of truth, that is precious friendship. The saints of God are the best friends of mankind. Two youths, Barnabas and Paul, were friends while together they were attending the school of Gamaliel. When Barnabas became a Christian, he persistently and tearfully prayed to God that He would also enlighten the mind and turn the heart of Paul in order that he becomes a Christian. Barnabas often spoke to Paul about Christ the Lord but Paul ridiculed him and considered him as one led astray. However, the Good Lord did not leave the prayers of Barnabas without fruit. The Good Lord appeared to Paul and turned him from the path of falsehood to the path of truth. The converted Paul then fell before the feet of his friend and cried out: “O Barnabas, teacher of truth, I am now convinced that everything which you spoke to me about Christ is the truth!” Barnabas wept with joy and embraced his friend. Barnabas, the friend saved the soul of his friend by his fervent prayer. If Barnabas has succeeded to place Paul as the emperor of Rome, he would have done less for him than what he succeeded in doing with prayer to bring him to the truth.
It is a beautiful illustration that remind us of that love for Jesus and the love these disciples had for one another. It reminds us that prayers truly do get answered in unimaginable ways, as was revealed in Saints Paul’s life through his conversion. It reminds us that authentic prayer like true love is a great labour and usually never comes easily. Finally, the one who labours this way, Christ through their labour, makes life fruitful so beautifully. Amen.