Thursday 26 December 2024
– St. Stephen
Mass
Readings:
Acts 6,8-12;7,54-60 Ps 31 Mt 10,17-22
Key
Verse to Meditate:
Then he knelt down and cried out in a
loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had
said this, he died (Act 7:60).
Dear
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Today, the Church joyfully
celebrates the feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Yesterday, we
commemorated the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. What a striking contrast:
the birth of life itself juxtaposed with the death of a faithful witness. Yet,
this paradox reveals a profound truth: death gives life.
Yesterday, Christmas Day, we were
captivated by the serene image of the newborn child in the manger, accompanied
by the angelic hymns and the humble adoration of shepherds. Today, we confront
the crimson testimony of St. Stephen, whose blood was shed because he boldly
believed in the promise of salvation, a promise reflected in the simplicity of
the crib. Stephen courageously denounced the rigid legalism of his time and the
monopolization of the Temple, which ultimately led to his martyrdom.
Yesterday, Christ was born into the
world; today, the first of His witnesses is born into the glory of eternal
life. The death of St. Stephen reminds us that bearing Christ in our lives may
demand enduring suffering, rejection, and even violence. Yet, his martyrdom
also assures us that such trials lead to the fullness of life in Christ.
St. Stephen: A Servant of God
In the Acts of the Apostles, we
learn that St. Stephen was one of the first seven deacons chosen to serve the
needs of the early Christian community. The apostles sought men who were "full
of the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3), and Stephen stood out as "a man
full of faith and the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). This divine fullness
enabled him to perform "great wonders and signs among the people"
(Acts 6:8).
Stephen’s life reflects his deep
imitation of Christ. Like Jesus, Stephen faced false accusations and relentless
persecution. His unwavering faith and Spirit-filled wisdom confounded his
opponents, leading them to fabricate charges against him, just as they did with
Jesus.
Strength Amidst Persecution
The Gospel reading from Matthew
today forewarns of the challenges disciples of Christ will face:
"Beware of men, for they will
hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you will be
brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and the
Gentiles" (Mt 10:17-18).
St. Stephen lived these words
fully. Despite the false accusations and the hostility of the Sanhedrin, he
remained calm and steadfast, his courage rooted in the Holy Spirit. When
Stephen stood before the council, his words, inspired by the Spirit, not only
refuted the charges against him but also exposed the hardness of heart of his
accusers. As Jesus promised, “Do not worry about how you are to speak or what
you are to say, for it will be given to you in that moment. For it is not you
who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Mt 10:19-20).
Even in the face of death,
Stephen’s gaze was fixed on the Lord. His face, radiant like that of an angel,
mirrored the glory of Christ within him (Acts 6:15).
Keep Your Eyes Focused on the Lord
Like St. Stephen, we are called to
keep our eyes firmly fixed on the Lord, especially during moments of
persecution, pain, and false accusations. Throughout history, countless saints
and servants of Christ, even on our own Indian soil, have demonstrated this
unwavering focus on the Lord amidst their deepest trials and suffering.
When we lift our gaze to the cross,
our sufferings find meaning. The cross becomes a source of consolation for our
wounded hearts and broken souls. In uniting ourselves with the Lord and
experiencing the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit, we discover an inner
strength that sustains us.
This union enables us to bear
witness to God’s boundless love and fidelity, even in the face of life’s
hardships and the weight of false accusations. Like St. Stephen, let us remain
steadfast, finding our hope and strength in the Lord, who walks with us through
every trial.
A Christ-Like Death
The parallels between St. Stephen
and Christ extend beyond their trials to the moments of their deaths. As
Stephen was being stoned, he entrusted his spirit to the Lord: “Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59). Like Jesus on the cross, he prayed for his
persecutors, saying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). His
final words, filled with mercy and forgiveness, bore fruit in the conversion of
Saul, who would later become St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Crowned with Glory
The name Stephen means “crown,” and
he indeed received the crown of martyrdom through his unwavering faith and
dedication to Christ.
His life challenges us to reflect:
Am I willing to bear Christ in my
life, even when it demands sacrifice?
Do I trust that I, too, am filled
with the Holy Spirit, who empowers me to live a life of holiness and service?
Do I seek the wisdom of the Spirit
to navigate the trials of my faith journey?
St. Stephen’s witness invites us to
follow his example of faithfulness and courage, trusting that in giving our
lives to Christ, we gain the fullness of life.
May we, like St. Stephen, be filled
with the Spirit, radiant with Christ’s glory, and faithful to the end.
St. Stephen, pray for
us.
