Holy Martyr Pelagia.
Acts 15:35-41. John 10:27-38.
Read Acts 15:35-41
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, good people, doing good work see things differently and disagree. In fact, in our Epistle reading today, it isn’t even a small disagreement that Sts. Paul and Barnabus have, but a “sharp contention” or a paroxysm which leads to them parting ways. Remember, earlier it was Barnabus that purposely sought out Saul and vouched for him before the Apostles (Acts 9:27). Paul does not trust Barnabus’ cousin, John Mark, to continue bravely in this ministry under pressure whereas Barnabus is convinced that he has repented of his former lapse and is reliable. What results is Barnabus and Paul going to minister in other parts of the Lord’s Vineyard. What is essential to take away from this is that even in the midst of disagreement we do not hate or condemn and that we remain united in our submission (“under the mission”) of the gospel. Both Paul and Barnabus are preaching the same Christ, and growing the same Church, simply in different places.
St. John Chrysostom writes: The point is not that they differed in their opinions but that they accommodated themselves to each other. Thus a greater good resulted from their parting, for which this provided an excuse. What then? Did they withdraw in enmity? God forbid! Recall how after this Barnabas received much praise from Paul in his epistles. “There arose,” it says, “a sharp contention,” not hatred or rivalry. – Homilies on Acts of the Apostles 34.5