What in the world is going on? Yesterday was Christmas. Now all of a sudden we get a gloomy Gospel passage like this.
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Stephen, the first recorded martyr in Christianity. Since the fifth century, his martyrdom has been celebrated on the first day after Christmas. It is a reminder that belief in the child born on Christmas can be costly.
This Gospel passage is from a section in Matthew in which Jesus is preparing to send the Twelve out on mission. He tells them that just as they share in his mission, so they will share in his persecution and martyrdom.
It’s not likely that I will be killed because I am a Christian
On the other hand, the Christian way of life is at times out of step with what would be called normal standards. I could sometimes get “killed: by others, figuratively speaking.
Not only I could. I have. And I probably can anticipate it happening again.
I need to talk to the Lord about this.
Feast of John the Apostle
Since the sixth century, the feast of John the Apostle has been celebrated on this date.
John and his brother, James, were partners in a fishing business with two other brothers – Peter and Andrew. In Matthew, they are the first four disciples called by Jesus.
John is mentioned 20 times in the Gospels (though never in the Gospel that bears his name). The threesome of Peter, James and John had a very close relationship with the Lord (sometimes along with Peter’s brother, Andrew). For example, Jesus brought only them to witness the transfiguration.
It is said that John was a young man when called to be a disciples, and lived to a ripe old age. An old tradition says that in his last days his disciples had to carry him into church. Unable to give a lengthy sermon, he was accustomed simple to repeat the words: “Children, love one another.”
His disciples hearing this repeatedly became impatient and asked: “Master, why do you always say the same thing?” John replied: Because it is the Lord’s own commandment. And if you did nothing more, it would suffice.