The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary on the Feast of the First Martyr, Stephen, challenge us to be witnesses to the fullness of life as disciples of Christ.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the Arrest and Stoning of Stephen.
* [7:55] He…saw…Jesus standing at the right hand of God: Stephen affirms to the Sanhedrin that the prophecy Jesus made before them has been fulfilled (Mk 14:62).
* [7:57] Covered their ears: Stephen’s declaration, like that of Jesus, is a scandal to the court, which regards it as blasphemy. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 31 is a prayer and praise for Deliverance from Enemies.
* [Psalm 31] A lament (Ps 31:2–19) with a strong emphasis on trust (Ps 31:4, 6, 15–16), ending with an anticipatory thanksgiving (Ps 31:20–24). As is usual in laments, the affliction is couched in general terms. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by evil people but trusts in the “God of truth” (Ps 31:6).
* [31:6] Into your hands I commend my spirit: in Lk 23:46 Jesus breathes his last with this Psalm verse. Stephen in Acts 7:59 alludes to these words as he is attacked by enemies. The verse is used as an antiphon in the Divine Office at Compline, the last prayer of the day. (Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew foresees Coming Persecutions
* [10:17] The persecutions attendant upon the post-resurrection mission now begin to be spoken of. Here Matthew brings into the discourse sayings found in Mk 13 which deals with events preceding the parousia.
* [10:21] See Mi 7:6 which is cited in Mt 10:35, 36.
* [10:22] To the end: the original meaning was probably “until the parousia.” But it is not likely that Matthew expected no missionary disciples to suffer death before then, since he envisages the martyrdom of other Christians (Mt 10:21). For him, the end is probably that of the individual’s life (see Mt 10:28). (Matthew CHAPTER 10, n.d.)
Elvin Cardoso, S.J. comments that Saint Stephen is honored as a deacon and martyr in the Church. The word "martyr" means "witness," and we see the essence of a Christian witness in the life and example of St. Stephen. Pope Francis often reminds us that there are more martyrs than in the early Church. A witness is not someone who simply holds a good idea but lives and speaks the truth of God’s love.
In the Acts of the Apostles, we see Stephen unjustly accused yet filled with the Holy Spirit; he responds with wisdom and counters falsehoods with truth. St. Stephen lived and died for Christ. Like Jesus, Stephen entrusted his spirit to God and prayed for the forgiveness of his persecutors. He embodied a love that extended even to his enemies, showing us the greatness of God’s love.
May St. Stephen's intercession inspire us to embrace the Holy Spirit so that we, too, can become living witnesses of Jesus. May our lives reflect God's love and be a beacon of hope and faith for the world. (Cardoso, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Your Father speaks through you in every age,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"To be sure, we heard in that reading, 'But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious how or what you are to speak... for it is not you who are speaking but the Spirit of your Father who speaks through you.' And he says in another place: 'Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world' (Matthew 28:20). Does this mean that the people who heard those words of the Lord would be here until the end of the world? The Lord was referring, rather, not only to those about to depart from this life but also to the others, including us and those who would come after us in this life. He saw everyone in his single body, and the words he spoke, 'I am with you even to the end of the world,' were heard by them and by us too. And if we did not hear them then in our knowledge, we heard them in his foreknowledge. Therefore, safe as sheep among the wolves, let us keep the commandments of him who directs us. And let us be 'innocent as doves but cautious as snakes' (Matthew 10:16). Innocent as doves that we may not harm anyone; cautious as snakes that we may be careful of letting anyone harm us." (excerpt from SERMON 64A.2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 comments that even in the midst of Stephen’s suffering, however, Jesus provided him with the great gift of his presence. He opened Stephen’s eyes so that he could see the very throne of heaven “and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). Even when he was being stoned because of his proclamation of Jesus, it was that same Lord who strengthened him to endure to the end. Jesus was pouring out his grace in the midst of a terrible ordeal.
Today, think back on an especially difficult season or event of your life. Now, look a bit deeper, and let God bring to mind the ways in which he was present to you. How did he pour out his grace? In what ways did you see him care for you through the people around you?
Our God is so faithful! He doesn’t promise us a life free of suffering. He even warned that we might be persecuted because of our belief in him. But he does promise to be with us at every moment of our lives, and especially in our trials. Today, ask St. Stephen to pray that you would see God’s presence in your life as clearly as he did. Then praise the Lord for such an amazing gift!
“Lord Jesus, may I always appreciate the gift and promise of your presence!” (Meditation on Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler reminds us of the service initially required of deacons involving charity and notes that the Greek speaking Stephen may have had less attachment to the Law and the Temple than his Hebrew audience. As he is being stoned, Stephen entrusts himself to the Spirit and forgives his persecutors. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus suffers with Christians who are persecuted.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces writer and activist Kelley Nikondeha who reminds us of the location of Jesus’ birth in occupied territory. Nikondeha shares the empowering hope of incarnation.
This is the story of advent: we join Jesus as incarnations of God’s peace on this earth for however long it takes. God walks in deep solidarity with humanity, sharing in our sufferings and moments of hope. Amid our hardship, God is with us. Emmanuel remains the name on our lips in troubled times.
Advent isn’t the acceptance of status-quo peace, but an incarnation of God’s peace that we live in the world. The peacemakers formed by advent are those who resist empire, who practice hospitality with neighbors, and who enter into solidarity with God in the work of liberation for everyone.
May there be calm, bright nights ahead for the peacemakers, the meek, and all people God accompanies through advent still. [4] (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the message of the feast today for the first martyr even as we continue to celebrate Jesus' birth as light of the world.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/7
Cardoso, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved December 26, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/122624.html
Matthew CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved December 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10?17
Meditation on Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved December 26, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/12/26/1165875/
Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 26, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/31?3
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Born Under Oppression. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 26, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/born-under-oppression/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The One Who Endures to the End Will Be Saved. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved December 26, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=dec26
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