THE WORD
Ac 6,8-10; 7,54-59 / Mt 10,17-22
Jesus said to his apostles, “Beware of people, 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.”
IN OTHER WORDS
Who is this Jesus whose birthday we just celebrated yesterday? In his notes given to those who took the 2014 Nemi Renewal course, Fr. Dennis McBride, CSsR, wrote: “we learn about Jesus through those who relate to him through other people. The story of Jesus is not just about the action of God, but about human interaction, reaction …We learn about him in the Gospel and … through those who have life in his name.” Our faith in Jesus increases because of people whose lives were influenced by Him. Such is the story of the saint we celebrate today. St. Stephen is one who lived his life for Jesus. His life showed how deeply he was touched by the love of God as revealed by Jesus. So powerful was the influence of this love that he did not give up his faith even to the point of death. He exemplied the gospel reading for today – trusting God so much that he did not worry about what to speak or what to say. He was hated because of Jesus’ name. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Lord were not just events for Him. He allowed Jesus to be borne in his heart. Thus, he endured to the end. In this Christmas season, let us ask for God’s grace to let Jesus be borne in our hearts.
- Fr. Francisco “Kito” Estepa, SVD | HNU, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
