|
Scripture
Acts 7:55-60 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw God's glory and Jesus standing at the right side of God. “Look!” he said. “I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!” With a loud cry the Council members covered their ears with their hands. Then they all rushed at him at once, threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses left their cloaks in the care of a young man named Saul. They kept on stoning Stephen as he called out to the Lord, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord! Do not remember this sin against them!” He said this and died. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Reflection The transition from the joy of Christmas to the cruelty of martyrdom seems too abrupt and it is a vivid reminder that Jesus came on earth to die. The Greek word from which we derive the English word ‘martyr’ literally means witness. In celebrating the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, on this day, we are reminded that Jesus calls his followers to be witnesses; not all called to shed their blood. In contrast to the violence of the Roman Empire into which Jesus was born, we are called to be witnesses to a different kingdom, God’s Kingdom, where values of compassion, justice, mercy and kindness reign. Love, including love of enemies, is at the heart of God’s kingdom. As Stephen faced death, imitating Jesus, he prayed for his enemies. Stephen was a much loved and respected deacon in the early Church and it was his task to organise meals to feed the poor. In remembrance of Stephen’s work, people used to collect money for the poor in small clay boxes during the year. On Saint Stephen’s Day, ‘Boxing Day’, the boxes were broken and the money distributed to the poor. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Prayer Lord God, we give you thanks for the example of Stephen who looked up to Heaven and prayed for his persecutors. We remember Christians who are persecuted throughout the world today, and all those afflicted because of their faithful witness. We face many dangers at the present time and we ask you to bless us with the gifts of courage and calmness which Stephen showed in the face of danger. Help us find the generosity of heart to pray for our enemies as Stephen did. We remember those called to the ministry of the diaconate. Bless them in their work and inspire more people to respond to this calling. We remember with thanksgiving those who work tirelessly for the poor. Bless and strengthen them in their work. We humbly, ask you God to help us bring your gentle, joyful, love to our families, our neighbours, our parishes, and the world at this Christmas time. Amen. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Music On St Stephen’s Day, a day associated with the giving of gifts, we share this video that back in 2014 went viral with the hashtag #sharethegift |
