Reading 1 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Stephen, filled with grace and power,
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,
Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia,
came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.
When they heard this, they were infuriated,
and they ground their teeth at him.
But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,
looked up intently to heaven
and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
and he said,
"Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man
standing at the right hand of God."
But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,
and rushed upon him together.
They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.
The witnesses laid down their cloaks
at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
Responsorial Psalm Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17
R. (6) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake you will lead and guide me.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Gospel Mt 10:17-22
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved."
Meditation: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
St. Stephen
Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit… . (Acts 7:55)
Going from yesterday’s celebration of Christmas to today’s feast of St. Stephen is like skipping ahead to the final pages of a thrilling story. You just can’t read another sentence until you know: Does everything turn out well?
In this case, the answer is both yes and no.
No, because a tragic history is repeating itself. Not so long before, Jesus stood before the same court Stephen now faces, similarly charged with blasphemy. And by having Jesus—and now Stephen—killed, their accusers imitate a long line of religious leaders who murdered the prophets.
But here’s the Yes—and it’s big: Everything about Stephen witnesses to the fact that Jesus accomplished the mission for which he was born. God sent his Son to save us from our sins, reconcile us to himself, and bring us into his own life by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Even though his earthly life ended so abruptly—and violently— Stephen is an early success story in this grand plan of salvation. He was “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5; 7:55). And because of that, he was remarkably like his Master. Like Jesus, he worked “great wonders and signs” (6:8). He had deep insight into God’s plan, as revealed in Israel’s history and Scriptures, and he presented that prophetic message with power and conviction. To say nothing of courage! Stephen looked a grisly death in the eye with calm serenity, his heart fixed on heavenly realities. And his last words—of surrender and forgiveness—could hardly be more Christlike (7:59-60).
Stephen the Superhero? Not at all! Stephen was one of us, an ordinary mortal—but one transformed by the Spirit of Jesus living in him.
That same Holy Spirit lives in our hearts. And best of all, he is there to help us to be “conformed to the image” of Jesus (Romans 8:29). So stir up the Spirit within you through prayer. Ask him to empower you, as he did Stephen, to live a life worthy of the call that your heavenly Father has given you.
“‘God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts’ (Galatians 4:6). I believe your word, Lord. Show me what it means for me.”
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