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WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 6/11/08

The Saint of Second Chances
 
I have a new hero.  Oh, I still love St. Peter for his impetuous, brash style.  But thanks to Father George Hillman, dear friend and vicar at my faith home, the Episcopal Church of Christ the King and Holy Nativity, I have become familiar of late with St. Barnabas, who I would describe as the saint of second chances. 
 
Barnabas seemed like a man of gentle faith.  Not only did he put his money where his mouth was (selling his land and giving the money to the apostles — Acts 4:36), but he also seemed to always give others the benefit of the doubt — willing to check out and accept the early stories of the changed Persecutor-Saul to Apostle-Paul, or to stand up for Mark, even though he had abandoned Paul on one occasion. 
 
My point?  No point today, except that as a man who has been blessed with many second chances, I am delighted beyond explanation to find a new “friend” in Barnabas, who now has a special place in my heart.  May all of us someday be known, as he is, as a “Son  [or Daughter] of Encouragement.”  God bless.  — jri  
 
“He was a good man, full of the Holy
Spirit and faith.”
        –    Acts 11:24