Signs of Love in Forgiveness

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present forgiveness as an essential sign of the love we strive to express as followers of Christ.

A Path of Love in Forgiveness

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles concludes with Stephen’s Martyrdom.

* [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.

* [7:59] Compare Lk 23:34, 46. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [8:1] All were scattered…except the apostles: this observation leads some modern scholars to conclude that the persecution was limited to the Hellenist Christians and that the Hebrew Christians were not molested, perhaps because their attitude toward the law and temple was still more in line with that of their fellow Jews (see the charge leveled against the Hellenist Stephen in Acts 6:13–14). Whatever the facts, it appears that the Twelve took no public stand regarding Stephen’s position, choosing, instead, to await the development of events. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 31 declares a strong emphasis on trust in God.

* [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). (Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus presents Bread from heaven.

* [6:31] Bread from heaven: cf. Ex 16:4, 15, 32–34 and the notes there; Ps 78:24. The manna, thought to have been hidden by Jeremiah (2 Mc 2:5–8), was expected to reappear miraculously at Passover, in the last days. (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Colette O’Meara-McKinney comments that in today’s reading, Stephen the Martyr models something remarkable: he found peace in the middle of chaos. He spoke truth with confidence and accepted the consequences with courage.

I’ve been fortunate. Close family and trusted friends have challenged me at pivotal moments. I clearly remember a dear friend who called me out for lacking clear priorities and neglecting my responsibilities to the people I cared about. It was hard to hear. It was even harder not to respond defensively. But it was accurate — and it changed me.

This Lenten season, I’m challenging myself to cultivate an interior freedom — a quiet, centered place from which I can act with calm, clarity, and conviction. A place from which I can say the hard words, take meaningful action, and listen with genuine care.

That interior freedom — the freedom to choose courage — is an anchor. My prayer is that we each find our anchors in times of struggle and in seasons of abundance. May we find clarity in our convictions, and the will to live them out in honest, wholehearted action. (O'Meara-McKinney, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes Trusting in the Lord, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"If you put your trust in money, you are paying futile regard to vain things; if you put your trust in high office or some exalted rank in human government, you are paying futile regard to vain things... When you put your trust in all these, either you expire and leave them all behind, or they will crumble while you are still alive, and what you trusted will have let you down... For my part, I do not put my trust in empty things as they do or pay futile regard to them; I have put my trust in the Lord." (excerpt from Exposition on the Psalms 31,12) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 7:51–8:1 comments that forgiveness is not optional for believers. God actually commands us to forgive those who have sinned against us. He expects us to forgive minor offenses, such as someone who snubs us, ignores us, or directs a sarcastic remark at us. Even though it can be very difficult and can take time, he also wants us to forgive family members or friends who have hurt us, betrayed us, or failed to help us when we most needed it.

If you are struggling to forgive someone, know that the grace of Jesus’ resurrection is available to you. If the offense is so serious that you don’t see how you could possibly forgive, just take the first step and ask God to forgive that person for you. Then, day by day, ask him to help you extend the same forgiveness. Ask your pastor or a close friend or counselor for help if you need to. It might be hard at first, but over time you will experience not only freedom from anger but also the joy of the risen Lord.

“Lord, help me to forgive anyone who has wronged me!” (Meditation on Acts 7:51–8:1, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in the Acts passage, Stephen is arrested and suffers mob justice and recites a history of the rejection of God of the Jews and He sees Jesus standing at the right hand of God. As he is being stoned he forgives and implores God to receive his spirit. When someone is martyred Jesus is with them. Paul, who is Saul in Aramaic, is at their side. He is consenting to this action. Luke uses foreshadowing in his writing. Saul will become a main character. In the Gospel of John, Jesus accuses the people of ignoring signs. What are you going to perform after the loaves and fishes feed thousands. Jesus will satisfy as the true bread from heaven. Friar Jude presents the sign that He will satisfy the greatest hunger of their hearts.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that the healing focus of the gospel became corrupted when we made it about securing a “ticket” for the next world, rather than experiencing aliveness in this one. Many of us are tempted to seek an escape from this moment instead of trusting that God’s healing is possible for us now — that even this moment can be good. We have treated “repentance” as the price of our heavenly ticket, when it actually means “a change of mind” — a transformation for the better. Geri, a Daily Meditations reader, shares her own story of healing with us:

I had my world fractured last year after my husband passed away from cancer. I have been grieving his loss and at the same time grieving what’s been going on in our country. Sometimes the sadness and anger I feel are overwhelming. But every day, I pray for healing for myself and the world around me. I want to be an instrument of Christ’s peace, whatever that entails. Thank you, Father Richard Rohr, and staff of CAC, for helping me through these uncertain and painful times! (Rohr, n.d.)

We seek the inspiration of the Spirit to act in the realization that forgiveness is a gift to those we feel have wronged us that shines a light on our source of fullness of life in Jesus.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/7 

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/8? 

John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?22 

Meditation on Acts 7:51–8:1. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/04/21/1547603/ 

O'Meara-McKinney, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-april-21-2026 

Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/31? 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Healing for a Hurting World. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-special-note-from-father-richard-healing-for-a-hurting-world/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Am the Bread of Life. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Persecution and Peace

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to preserve as followers of Christ even as we witness the tragedy around us that seems to support the cliche of “No good deed goes unpunished”.

On the Feast of Stephen

The Reading from the Acts of the Apostles proclaims the Accusation against Stephen prior to Stephen’s Martyrdom.

* [6:8–8:1] The summary (Acts 6:7) on the progress of the Jerusalem community, illustrated by the conversion of the priests, is followed by a lengthy narrative regarding Stephen. Stephen’s defense is not a response to the charges made against him but takes the form of a discourse that reviews the fortunes of God’s word to Israel and leads to a prophetic declaration: a plea for the hearing of that word as announced by Christ and now possessed by the Christian community. The charges that Stephen depreciated the importance of the temple and the Mosaic law and elevated Jesus to a stature above Moses (Acts 6:13–14) were in fact true. Before the Sanhedrin, no defense against them was possible. With Stephen, who thus perceived the fuller implications of the teachings of Jesus, the differences between Judaism and Christianity began to appear. Luke’s account of Stephen’s martyrdom and its aftermath shows how the major impetus behind the Christian movement passed from Jerusalem, where the temple and law prevailed, to Antioch in Syria, where these influences were less pressing. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [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.

* [7:59] Compare Lk 23:34, 46. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 31 declares the psalmist feels overwhelmed by evil people but trusts in the “God of truth”.

* [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 proclaims 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 | USCCB, n.d.)

Candice Tucci, OSF, comments that  today, there are still martyrs of the faith. Individuals who give and gave witness to the Gospel through their lives. We live in a complex world of war, hunger, military presence in countries, cities, religious biases, racial prejudices, and people die. Love prevails! We can still celebrate Christmas in these times because we know Easter. God’s gift of everlasting LOVE and LIFE to us.

Christians are people of hope in their belief. We pray ancient psalms with words of confidence that give us comfort, for we know a history of a faithful God.

Be my rock of refuge,

A stronghold to give me safety.

You are my rock and my fortress;

For your name’s sake, you will lead and guide me…

Let your face shine upon your servant;

Save me in your kindness.

In continuing the works of Jesus and knowing that the face of Jesus shines upon us, no matter when or how the time comes, can we say with peace and great conviction, like Stephen, LIKE JESUS, “Into your hands, my God, I commend my spirit”. (Tucci, 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 on Stephen’s joy and courage in the face of death and also reveals that Jesus came to bring an end to death itself for everyone who believes. He shows how our trust in the Lord and our faith in Jesus’ promises can free us from the fear of death.

So today, follow the example of our first martyr, who “looked up intently to heaven” and saw the risen Lord (Acts 7:55). Don’t fix your eyes only on the child in the manger; gaze also at “the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God” (7:55). Let that vision fill your heart with joy and confidence.

“St. Stephen, pray that my heart might be transformed by a vision of the risen Lord!” (Meditation on Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler shares a reflection on the texts today. The Acts of the Apostles identifies Stephen as one of the seven deacons commissioned to care for the widows and orphans. He was a Greek speaker and possibly annoyed the Temple authorities. They decide to kill him in a kangaroo court without the permission of the Roman Authorities. The Gospel of Matthew reminds us that the “Son of Man” was a title used by Jesus and Stephen asked for forgiveness for his persecutors in a portion of the chapter not cited today. Jesus is with those suffering. Being a Christian means paying a price. Friar Jude notes that the Gospel reminds us that the Spirit will give us support in what to say when we are called to give witness even in dying to the daily annoyances in our life.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Franciscan sister and scientist Ilia Delio focuses on the theology of the incarnation and the universal nature of the Christ mystery.

So does everyone have to become Christian to know the Christ? Absolutely not. Christ is more than Jesus. Christ is the communion of divine personal love expressed in every created form of reality—every star, leaf, bird, fish, tree, rabbit, and human person. Everything is christified because everything expresses divine love incarnate. However, Jesus Christ is the “thisness” of God, so what Jesus is by nature everything else is by grace (divine love). We are not God, but every single person is born out of the love of God, expresses this love in [their] unique personal form, and has the capacity to be united with God…. Because Jesus is the Christ, every human is already reconciled with every other human in the mystery of the divine, so that Christ is more than Jesus alone. Christ is the whole reality bound in a union of love. (Rohr, n.d.)

As we look out on the “Feast of Stephen” today, the snow truly is “round about crisp and bright and even” and we ponder the paradox of persecution of the people bringing care and compassion to people by those in power threatened by lives defined by love.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/6?8 

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 7 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/7?55#52007055 

Matthew, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10? 

Meditation on Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/12/26/1459409/ 

Psalms, PSALM 31 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/31?3 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-universal-christ/ 

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, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Tucci, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved December 26, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-december-26-2025