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 p...