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 th...