Posted: 20 Apr 2009 09:00 PM PDT(Catholic Exchanged)
Acts 4:32-37 / Jn 3:7-15
Life is full of things that can get us down and even cause us to despair. The list of potential tragedies is almost endless: catastrophic illness, accidental death or maiming, inescapable poverty, mental illness, senility. On and on the list goes, but probably the most common source of weariness and despair is the simple ordinariness and repetitiveness of daily life. Sometimes that can overwhelm us all.
That’s why the nickname the apostles gave to Joseph the Levite is such high praise. They called him Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement.” What a positive and hope-filled man he must have been, to be awarded a name like that. And what an impact he must have had upon the people whose lives he touched, helping them to transcend their weariness and their fears, helping them instead to engage fully the soul-stretching challenges which life brings to us all.
Being a real encourager is major heart work. It comes from a heart that is profoundly convinced of the immense spiritual power available to those who are connected to the Lord, and it comes from a heart that truly wants to help others to thrive. Being an encourager is at the center of our vocation as Christians. It’s a precious gift that is yours to give every day. Why not give it — today!
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