REFLECTION/HOMILY ON THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN FIRST MARTYR 26TH DECEMBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY ON THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN FIRST MARTYR 26TH DECEMBER 2023

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps.31; Matthew 10:17:22

Be Consistent with the Truth

Today, just immediately after celebrating the Nativity of the Lord, the life and martyrdom of St. Stephen is presented before us as the first example of one who practiced authentic Christianity at the greatest cost.

Prior to the today’s first reading, Stephen was chosen as one of the upright men in the community to supervise the equitable distribution of food to the Hellenist’s widows. To have been chosen means that he enjoyed the admiration of men. He was a man of integrity.

However, soon there was a problem when Stephen decided to grow higher in the use of his gifts. Apart from the just distribution of food to widows, Stephen was now able to perform great signs and wonders among the people. Not until then did he begin to attract the persecution of men. Still, Stephen could not be intimidated by the jealousy of men. In the midst of their rage, he further testified that he can see heaven open, beholding the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. At this point, they considered him to have signed his death sentence.

Beloved, the action of Stephen teaches us that in the use of our gifts, we are only responsible to the giver of the gifts. Your gift is given to you for the purpose of service. Be sure that you are serving the creator and not the selfish-purpose of some individuals who cannot account for the presence of the gift in you in the first place.

As he was dying, Stephen prayed for the forgiveness of his murderers; he was able to express compassion and mercy in the heat of experiencing the greatest cruelty of men. This is a sign that his focus was not on the human elements of his persecution; rather, he was focused on the victory he was winning with Christ against the devil. The former can be distracting while the latter is consoling. In his death, he became successful. Since success is always contagious, the man at whose feet the murderers dropped their garments, later became one of the greatest Disciples of Christ.

Beloved, the virtue of perseverance has ripples of good effects. Perseverance does not just mean to endure persecution but also to be unstoppable in doing good. Only a sincere prayer of trust can do this as expressed in the responsorial psalm: Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. Such prayer will not immune us from attack but will win for us the grace of losing our lives for the sake of Christ. Christ has promised that one who does so will surely regain his life.