Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
(Acts 6:8-10.7:54-59; Matthew10:17-22)
Celebrating Christmas, we walk in the light of Christ. Today’s Feast of St. Stephen reminds us that
those who walk in light are bound to cast shadows. In these shadows lurk evil spirits who would
kill before being exposed to the light, especially the brilliant light of
Christ.
The reading from Acts relates Stephen’s martyrdom but skips
over his speech which provoked the wrath of his assassins. In that discourse Stephen revisits the sins
of Israel from the selling of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, to the
crucifixion of Christ. The people who
hear Stephen, not wanting to be enlightened about the sins of their ancestors
and even less of their own sins, stone Stephen. He dies begging forgiveness for his persecutors.
In proclaiming the whole truth of Jesus, we will find
opposition. Those who oppose us will not
kill us, but they may criticize us unjustly.
Because we follow Christ, we are to respond to the criticisms like St.
Stephen. That is, we are not to condemn
but to pray for our persecutors.