Today's Gospel in Art - Feast of Saint Barnabas

The Life of St Paul: Paul and Barnabas Taken for Gods 1857-60, © Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, Rome

Gospel of 11th June 2020 - Matthew 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples: 'If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

'You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer for it before the court. But I say this to you: anyone who is angry with his brother will answer for it before the court; if a man calls his brother "Fool" he will answer for it before the Sanhedrin; and if a man calls him "Renegade" he will answer for it in hell fire. So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering. Come to terms with your opponent in good time while you are still on the way to the court with him, or he may hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison. I tell you solemnly, you will not get out till you have paid the last penny.'

Reflection on the Fresco

Today we celebrate the feast of St Barnabas. We hear of Saint Barnabas mainly through the Acts of the Apostles, where he is one of Saint Paul's main companions. We see them at times depicted together in artworks, of which the painting shared with you today is one of the more popular depictions. It shows the episode in which the people of Lystra mistake the two companions for gods come to earth. In Acts 14:8-18 Paul and Barnabas are in Lystra and heal a crippled man (bottom right corner) and the Lystrians take them for gods. A priest even brings an ox to sacrifice to them, as shown in this painting, but Saint Paul with outstretched arms tells them to stop. The two have to explain that "we are of the same nature as you." This painting is from a series of 36 by 22 various artists (not all recorded) that line the nave and transept of the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls in Rome and all depict episodes of the life of St Paul.

When Paul came to Jerusalem after his conversion, most of the Christians there wanted nothing to do with him for they had known him as a persecutor of Christians. But Barnabas, guided by the Holy Spirit was willing to take a calculated risk on Paul. They became great friends and travelled far and wide, sharing the Good News of Christ to the world. St Barnabas was also one of the Cypriots who founded (Acts 11:19-20) the church in Antioch, where he preached.

Barnabas was willing to give up and risk everything to tell people about Jesus, using his gifts and strengths in the service of God… Saint Barnabas, pray for us.

LINKS

Today's story - https://christianart.today/reading.php?id=449

Christian Art Today - www.christian.art