These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

THURSDAY, WEEK X, ORDINARY TIME—Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle

Now there were in the Church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, completing their fasting and prayer, they laid hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:1-3)

It’s always good to remember that the group called “apostles” is larger than just the Twelve. In fact, it’s only the Lucan gospel that gives us the term “twelve apostles.” As we can see in Antioch the community had prophets and teachers . . . and then two apostles were sent out, Barnabas and Saul (Paul). “Apostle” means “one who is sent off.”