THE FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR.
FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, DEACON. FIRST MARTYR.
"Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, 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.
"When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said,
“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
"But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.
"The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
"As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 6: 8 - 10, 7: 54 - 59).
Thursday 26th December 2024, Solemnity of the Octave of Christmas, the Feast of St Stephen, the first Martyr.
"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).
" …Like his Master,Jesus, St Stephen died forgiving and praying for his persecutors, and thus makes us realise that the entry into the world of the Son of God gives rise to a new civilisation, the civilisation of love that does not yield to evil and violence and pulls down the barriers between men and women, making them brothers and sisters in the great family of God’s children.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 26th December 2009).
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." The Holy Spirit is the Voice that speaks in Court. (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 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." First Reading (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.
"As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (Acts 7: 58).
The blood of the martyrs is still the seed of Christianity. (Cf CCC 852).
HAPPY SOLEMN OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS.
Mary was conceived without original sin. This grace and privilege are fitting in view of the birth and death of her Son Jesus Christ, who is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.
"O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You."
For the Immaculate Conception Devotions and Prayers and Prayer intentions click the link below:
THE 31 DAY NOVENA TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Link is below:
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