god working through you
"The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number of them believed and were converted to the Lord. News of this eventually reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, resulting in Barnabas' being sent to Antioch." —Acts 11:21-22
Some of you are like Barnabas. You have sold your property and given the proceeds to the Church (Acts 4:36-37). Because of the Lord working through you, the lives of thousands of people are being transformed. Thank God for you!
Some of you are like Barnabas. You are "filled with the Holy Spirit and faith" (Acts 11:24). You are encouraging other Christians "to remain firm in their commitment to the Lord" (Acts 11:23). Because of the Lord working through you, "large numbers" are "added to the Lord" (Acts 11:24). Thank God for you!
Some of you are like Barnabas. You are fasting and praying and willing to go wherever the Holy Spirit sends you (Acts 13:2). Through your obedience, the Lord is delivering many people "from the power of darkness" and transferring them to the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col 1:13). Thank God for you!
What would the world be like without the Lord working through people who are like Barnabas? Through you, the Lord can do more than we can ever ask for or imagine (see Eph 3:20). Through people like Barnabas, the Lord does even greater works than Jesus did (Jn 14:12). Thank God for Barnabas and for you! Be like Barnabas.
Prayer: Father, may I live the life of good works for which You have created me (see Eph 2:10).
Promise: "Cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons." —Mt 10:8
Praise: St. Barnabas discipled his cousin Mark so successfully (see Acts 15:39) that Mark later wrote a gospel which has led countless people to faith in Jesus.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 29, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 31, 2002