a year in god’s word
“Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for Saul.” —Acts 11:25
It was no small task for St. Barnabas to go to Tarsus and “look for Saul” (Acts 11:25). To journey the 150 miles from Antioch to Tarsus, and then return to Antioch required weeks of travel. Once Barnabas arrived at Tarsus, he had to search diligently for Saul (also known as Paul) in the days before GPS, text messaging, phone calls, etc. Tarsus was a large city, estimated by some scholars to contain over 100,000 people, and it could have taken quite some time for Barnabas to locate Paul in Tarsus.
Sts. Paul and Barnabas taught the members of the Church in Antioch for a year, likely involving daily Scripture study (Acts 11:26). This year in the Word of God changed the members of the Church in Antioch so profoundly that they had a name-change to “Christians” (Acts 11:26).
God encourages us through His Word (see Sir 17:19) and through people like St. Barnabas and St. Paul, who teach us the Faith and His Word (Acts 11:23). May you encourage many and lead them to a strong faith. “Encourage one another” (Heb 10:25).
My son and his fianceé discerned to read through the Bible daily in the year leading up to their wedding date. They will have a strong foundation for their married life together. Would you commit to a daily, year-long Bible Study?
Prayer: Father, may I love Your Word so much that I devour it and consider it my joy and happiness (Jer 15:16).
Promise: “The gift you have received, give as a gift.” —Mt 10:8
Praise: “There was a certain Levite from Cyprus named Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (meaning ‘son of encouragement’)” (Acts 4:36). Father, make us encouragers too.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Vacation with your Family and the Lord June 20-24 at our Retreat Center in Adams County, Ohio. The days are filled with faith-filled activities, fellowship, and fun. Call 513-373-2397 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2022 through July 31, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 18, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.