FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN,
FIRST MARTYR
Psalter: Proper / (Red)
Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 & 8ab, 16bc & 17
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
1st Reading: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Some persons then came forward, who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia. They argued with Stephen. But they could not match the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.
When they heard this reproach, they were enraged; and they gnashed their teeth against Stephen. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus at God‘s right hand; so he declared: ”I see the heavens open, and the Son of Man at the right hand of God.”
But they shouted and covered their ears with their hands, and rushed together upon him. They brought him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed saying: ”Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Gospel: Mt 10:17-22
Be on your guard with people, for they will hand you over to their courts, and they will flog you in their synagogues. You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings because of me, so that you may witness to them and the pagans.
But when you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say, or how you are to say it; when the hour comes, you will be given 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 his brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved.
Reflections
In today‘s passage, Jesus foretells what the disciples can look forward to. They can expect to be ”handed over” to governors and kings, which will give them the test and authenticity of their faith in him. At the same time, they are not to be anxious about what they should say. The words they need will be given when the time comes. They find in themselves a strength and confidence they never knew they had. Jesus makes it clear that following him will result in families being broken up – father against child, children against parents. Alas, this prediction, too, has been fulfilled all too often both in the past and in recent times. This is the price to pay for those whose lives are built on truth, love and peace. Those who prefer to live their faith in comfort and security would take Jesus‘ message as a personal matter without the imperative of social justice. Jesus had said that all those who wished to follow him would have to take up their cross and go after him. The servant is no greater than his master. ”Whoever loves his own life will lose it; whoever hates his own life in this world will keep it for life eternal. Whoever wants to serve me must follow me, so that my servant will be with me where I am” (John 12:25-26). Some of us may find it strange to be talking about such painful things during the Christmas season. If we think like that, then it may indicate that we do not fully understand the nature and purpose of Jesus‘ birth. We tend to insulate the whole Christmas scene with romanticism and even a great deal of sentimentality but there was nothing sentimental about the Child being born in a poor social conditions, far from home, already ignored by the religious leadership of the day and whose only visitors were a group of poor and marginalized shepherds and some mysterious visitors from the East. They all indicate the direction of Jesus‘ life, ministry and mission.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
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