The first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles (4:32-37) displays the generosity and charity of those first Christians, who were of one heart and mind. However, there is a detail we may gloss over if we we're not reading this closely. We're informed of a man named Joseph by his parents, but he is named Barnabas by the Apostles (not to be confused with the criminal Barabbas in the Passion narratives). The name “Barnabas,” we're told, is translated as “son of encouragement.”
I'm not totally positive about this, but I suspect the word “courage” is related to the Latin word, “cor,” meaning “heart.” To encourage is perhaps to give heart to another or to strengthen another person's heart. As we face the tension and challenges of our time, may we all be a Barnabas to someone, encouraging by call, text, video messaging those who are lonely, wounded, disillusioned, suffering, or without hope. Encouraged by the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, may we encourage others with the good news that God is with us and even now, we are not alone.