Today, June 11, as our Church celebrates the Memorial of Barnabas, Apostle, our Church invites us to reflect on a Scripture passage from the first letter of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians (4:1-16) entitled "Let us imitate the Apostle just as he imitates Christ". Our treasure, which follows, is from a treatise on the Gospel of Saint Matthew by Saint Chromatius, bishop.
Saint Barnabas was one of the earliest leaders of the Christian Church, a Jewish convert from Cyprus whose name means "son of encouragement." Although he was not one of the Twelve Apostles, he is called an apostle because he was personally commissioned by the Holy Spirit and sent by the Church to preach the Gospel and establish Christian communities. Barnabas is best known for recognizing the sincerity of Saint Paul after Paul's conversion and for introducing him to the apostles when others were hesitant to trust him. He accompanied Paul on missionary journeys and played a key role in bringing the Gospel to non-Jews, helping the Church understand that salvation through Christ is offered to all people. His example of faith, encouragement, generosity, and missionary zeal helped shape the Church's mission of evangelization and unity, for which he is honored as an apostolic saint.
Saint Chromatius was a native of Aquileia, Italy, and participated in the Synod of Aquileia that condemned Arianism. Seven years later he became the bishop of the see. A friend of St. Jerome, Chromatius also encouraged Rufinus to translate Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History. He was known and revered as a scholar and was described by St. Jerome as "a most learned and most holy man." Saint Chromatius was also a friend of Saint John Chrysostom.
In our treasure today, Saint Chromatius teaches that Christians, having received the light of Christ, are called to reflect that light to the world through holy living, good works, and faithful witness. Just as a lamp is placed where it can give light to everyone, believers should not hide their faith but allow their actions to reveal God's presence and goodness. Chromatius emphasizes that Christ is the true Light, and Christians become light only by sharing in His life and grace. The main lesson of the treatise is that disciples of Christ are called to illuminate the world by their example, leading others to glorify God and be drawn to the truth of the Gospel.
In our first reading today, from 1 Corinthians 4:1–16, Saint Paul teaches that Christian leadership is rooted not in status, power, or worldly success, but in humble faithfulness to Christ. Saint Paul reminds the Corinthians that apostles are servants and stewards of God's mysteries, called to endure hardships, sacrifices, and even ridicule for the sake of the Gospel. He presents his own life as an example of self-giving discipleship and invites believers to imitate him insofar as he imitates Christ. The passage teaches that true Christian maturity is shown through humility, perseverance, and a willingness to follow Christ's example of sacrificial love rather than seeking honor or recognition from the world.
