Reflections
What did Barnabas see in Antioch that he recognized as “manifest signs of God’s favor?” Did he see wealth, prosperity, easy life? Although material blessings also come from God, I think what Barnabas saw was a community of people who love each other, who help each other in their needs, who are untiring in their preaching of the Good News, who are fair with one another and who are living in peace with one another. But maybe he also saw afflicted people suffering patiently, sick people surrendering themselves fully in God’s hands, people forgiving each other. I am sure we know how hard it is to build and maintain such a community. We cannot achieve it with only our human efforts. We truly need God’s grace. That is why when we encounter such a community, we know that they are the manifest sign of God’s favor.

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