HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN

Homily for the Feast of St. Stephen, first Martyr (26th December 2022)

Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Mt.10:17-22

WITNESSING TO CHRIST 

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, it is indeed a shocking contrast. Yesterday, we celebrated the joyous birth of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Today we honor the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen. 

Yesterday, the world was fixated on a humble and precious infant lying in a manger. Today, we stand by as witnesses to the blood that was shed by Saint Stephen for professing his faith in this little child. 

Stephen, a deacon of the early church, bored witness to his faith in God. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus and called his people to conversion and faith. The forgiveness that he offered to those who killed him reflect the forgiveness offered by Jesus himself to those who crucified him. The feast of Saint Stephen, known as the proto-martyr, the first witness and martyr, reminds us of the high price we pay as we place our faith in the newborn king. 

The martyrdom of Saint Stephen reminds us of the consequences of giving our lives to Jesus, who was born an infant in Bethlehem. We must give him everything, holding nothing back, even if it means persecution and death. It reminds us that the birth of Jesus requires everything from us. We must be ready and willing to give our lives to him completely and without reserve. The birth of Jesus means we must reprioritize our lives and commit to choosing him above all else, even above our own lives. It means we must be ready and willing to sacrifice everything for Jesus, living selflessly and faithfully to his most holy will. Jesus is the reason for life and the reason to give our lives without reserve. 

May Jesus’ birth instill in us the willingness to be born anew into a life of selfless and sacrificial giving through Christ our Lord, Amen. 

Merry Christmas to you all.