Fear of the Message of Peace

The feast of the first martyr of the Church is commemorated in the Roman Catholic Lectionary on the day after Christmas. This is a reminder of the many responses of the world to the proclamation of the Presence of the Prince of Peace. The news from many areas of the world today still tells of Christians being persecuted and martyred. The text from the Acts of the Apostles provides insight into how Stephen gave up his life being aware that Jesus was with him throughout the ordeal. The prayer of the psalmist for God to be aware of our afflictions when we profess our faith is one where we can perhaps identify with the concern that we might not be as brave for our relationship with God as Stephen. The Gospel of Matthew is not going to give us the false assurance that the Life in the Spirit of God, who is love, will shield us from the retribution of those who are struck with fear by our witness. The promise is that the Spirit within, which resonates in relationship with the Divine Spirit, will always be available to guide our words and action.