THE TRIAL OF ST STEPHEN THE DEACON.
STEPHEN FILLED WITH GRACE AND POWER.
"Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people.
"Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyreneans, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
"Then they instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin.
"They presented false witnesses who testified, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law. For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
"All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel." (Acts 6: 8 - 15).
Monday 15th April 2024 in the 3rd Week in the Season of Easter.
St Stephen was one of the seven deacons who helped the apostles (Acts 6: 1 - 6) and was filled with faith and the Holy Spirit," and was "full of fortitude" (Acts 6: 5, 8). Stephen died praying for his executioners. The similarities between Stephen's martyrdom and the crucifixion of Our Lord emphasize his imitation of Christ even up to the complete gift of self." (Roman Missal).
We learn from the brief summary of the life of St Stephen from the Roman Missal that Stephen must have been a very important witness in the early Church. Consider why:
#1 Stephen's life and experience shows that the promises of Jesus are true.
"When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say." (Matthew 10: 19).
#2 Stephen died like Jesus forgiving his executioners.
This vindication of the promises of Jesus and fearless embrace of martyrdom made a deep impression on the early Church. The Church included the name of St Stephen in the Canon of the Mass to intercede for the Church.
How soon after His Ascension was Christ's prediction vindicated when He said in the course of instructing His disciples:
"But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say." (Matthew 10: 17 - 19).
We observe the power and faithfulness of Jesus in the trial and death of Stephen. What Jesus did for Stephen during his trial and execution, He has done for every single one of His martyrs. He has stood by their sides and sustained them to the last.
Do not be afraid. Jesus will do the same for us should the occasion arise.
THE EUCHARIST IS THE CHURCH.
The Church learns more and honors the HOLY EUCHARIST in APRIL.
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