Daily Gospel Reflection
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December 26, 2019
Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles.
“When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Today’s gospel gives us the very clear picture that if we are with Jesus, we can expect opposition and possible persecution from those who oppose the Gospel. Jesus never misled the disciples, and clearly communicated to them what they may expect if they followed him: to be sent as sheep in the midst of wolves. The question Jesus asks is this: Are you willing to take on challenging and grim times in my name?
How many of us believe in something bigger than ourselves to the degree that we would willingly go out and do a job that is not popular and will not gain us friends? If persecuted or mocked, would we endure this to the end to be saved? These are not easy moments, when the Lord commissions us to be of service to others in the name of our faith.
We have many amazing modern-day examples of those who have been leaders of causes, movements, and breakthroughs. These men and women had nay-sayers in their midst but in the end fully believed in what they were doing in order to help many find peace and health of mind, body, and spirit. Let us recognize the privilege of following in Jesus’s footsteps and joyfully accept the hardships that come our way to serve him.
Prayer
Almighty God, the gift of your Son brings us assurance and confidence. Today, as we remember the first martyr Stephen, give us strength in every conflict and struggle. We pray for the end of all persecution and strife. May your Son’s peace rest in our hearts. We pray this in his name. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Stephen was the first Christian to die for his faith in Jesus.
After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the apostles went about preaching the good news. As Christian communities grew, there arose a need to care for widows and the poor in the name of the community. The apostles, being busy with preaching, asked the communities to recommend seven men to serve the poor. Stephen was one of those seven; the apostles laid hands on these people and ordained them as the first deacons.
Stephen spoke about the faith with great wisdom and eloquence, and he was successful in winning many to Christianity. Enemies of the Church were angry that he was converting others and they tried to argue with him, but it didn’t work. They then found someone to lie and charge him with blasphemy.
He was taken to face a great assembly, and he remained calm and collected and defended his faith, claiming that Jesus is the Son of God and the fulfillment of God’s promises. He even scolded his opponents for their refusal to see the truth.
Fulgentius of Ruspe, a fifth-century bishop, wrote about Stephen's martyrdom:
"Love was Stephen's weapon by which he gained every battle, and so won the crown signified by his name. His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his neighbor made him pray for those who were stoning him. Love inspired him to reprove those who erred, to make them amend; love led him to pray for those who stoned him, to save them from punishment. [...] Love, indeed, is the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven."
At that, they all became incensed and they dragged him out of the city and stoned him to death. Stephen remained faithful to the end, crying out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He knelt and begged God to forgive those who were killing him. St. Paul was among the crowd who opposed Stephen and witnessed his martyrdom.
A number of Stephen’s relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. His relics also rest in the main altar of the Basilica. Today's featured stained glass image of him stands in the chapel in the new Stayer Center for Executive Education.
St. Stephen, first Christian to die for your faith in Jesus—pray for us!