Helping someone else to greatness

Today is the Feast of St. Barnabas, Apostle and Martyr. He was one of the earliest Christians. Acts 4 tells of his selling his land to help the Church. He taught and preached the Gospel in many places and ultimately died for the faith.

Barnabas’ most significant contribution to the Church, however, was his role in the life of St. Paul. It was Barnabas who introduced Paul to the Apostles, when many were still suspicious of him. It was Barnabas who, when the Church was beginning its ministry to the Gentiles, went to Paul’s home town to fetch him for the ministry at Antioch (as we hear in today's first reading). Barnabas stood by Paul’s side at the Council of Jerusalem and accompanied Paul on his early journeys.

St. Paul went on to be known as one of the greatest Apostles, but it was very much through Barnabas that the Lord made this happen. Barnabas’ greatest work, aside from giving his life for Christ, was to help bring another man to greatness.

What are we doing to help any of our sisters and brothers in the Lord to greatness?