Common Ground Song 42 ‘God to enfold you’
Words / Music: John Bell © WGRG / Iona Community
YouTube recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOrmUAw5E8Q
Featured image: Icon of Saint Barnabas. Copyright unknown.

Today the Church observes the feast of St Barnabas the Encourager. According to one source, the Greek text of Acts 4:36 is υἱός παρακλήσεως, hyios paraklēseōs, meaning 'son of exhortation / encouragement'[1], but the word paraklēseōs is obviously related to ‘paraclete’, a name for the Holy Spirit often translated as ‘advocate’. Barnabas, then, was someone who not only encouraged other Christians in their faith, but advocated for them, stood by them in their troubles, like the Holy Spirit himself.

This song is suitable for the occasion. Another simple chant to be sung repeatedly. The music is gentle, the key of C minor encourages reflection rather than celebration, and the words are those of encouragement. It comes from the Wild Goose stable (nest?), and is suggested as suitable for a service of healing or commissioning. These are occasions when people are encouraged to step out in faith, or when the Church comes alongside someone as an advocate and encourager in their suffering.

The Trinitarian first half of the chant makes it explicitly Christian (‘God to enfold you, Christ to uphold you, Spirit to keep you in Heaven’s sight). In a world of increasing division and anger sadly, even within the Church), it is important to be reminded that Jesus came to fulfil the old covenant of God’s loving-kindness (of which the Law was merely a reminder) and also to reconcile all things to God. Enfolding, upholding, keeping: the role of all three persons of the Trinity is one of encouragement.

The second half is a blessing (‘So may God grace you, heal and embrace you, lead you through darkness into the light’). It acknowledges that some of us will be in dark places, or in need of healing. But God is ever present to meet darkness with light, and pain with healing. The ministry of encouragement or advocacy is one that is increasingly needed in these difficult times, and this ministry in itself is one that the Church should indeed encourage and advocate for.  

The Church of England’s collect for the day:

Bountiful God, giver of all gifts,
who poured your Spirit upon your servant Barnabas
and gave him grace to encourage others:
help us, by his example,
to be generous in our judgements
and unselfish in our service;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.

[1] https://www.christian-pilgrimage-journeys.com/biblical-sources/christian-history/cyprus-the-land-of-barnabas/