How often does it happen that the message preached by some of the tv evangelists and the corner preachers is quite negative. The prophets of doom and gloom: "repent" is the major theme. Hell fire and damnation either give people a sad picture of a loving God or drive them away from God.
Jesus did not send the early apostles out with the message. Barnabas was sent with Paul to spread "good news" not hell fire! Like most of the disciples, Barnabas was a convert. He gave all that he could of himself and what he had to be a worker in the vineyard for Jesus. His name can be understood to mean what he became: "son of exhortation." No doubt he learned much from St. Paul. A brief biography follows.
The painting was done by Botticelli in 1490 AD.
Saint Barnabas was a Jew from Cyprus. The Holy Spirit destined Barnabas to a universal mission, as it was he who introduced St. Paul to the other apostles, paving the way for that broad apostolate of St. Paul's which required the approval of the pillars of the Church. He was with Paul in the first missionary journey and at the first Council of Jerusalem. After having converted many souls to Christ, Barnabas died in Cyprus during Nero's reign; tradition has it that he was stoned to death. His name is included in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).
Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003
