Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 12-26-15, FEAST, St. Stephen, First Martyr
USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 12-26-15 | Revised New American Bible

Posted on 12/25/2015 7:32:31 PM PST by Salvation

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-45 last
To: Salvation
The Word Among Us

Meditation: Matthew 10:17-22

Saint Stephen, The First Martyr (Feast)

Do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. (Matthew 10:19)

Does a trained ballerina worry about whether she will lose her balance as she pirouettes? No. One of the first things a dancer learns is to pick a focal point. If she keeps her eyes fixed on it, she can keep from getting dizzy no matter how many times she spins. Does a seasoned public speaker tremble when he steps on stage before a large audience? No. He fixes his attention on a few listeners and returns his gaze to them whenever he needs to refocus.

This is also Stephen’s experience. When his accusers drag him before the Sanhedrin, he doesn’t prepare a defense. He simply keeps his focus on Jesus and bears witness to the truth without worrying about what his audience does or doesn’t want to hear. Instead of being deterred by their furious death threats, Stephen keeps his eyes fixed on Jesus. His reward is to see “the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,” arms outstretched to welcome this first fearless witness into heaven (Acts 7:55).

It’s easy for us to lose our focus. For instance, we can all be prone to a little post-holiday letdown. Perhaps it was a lonely time, or perhaps we are keenly aware of a recent loss. Perhaps those who gathered didn’t get along, or one of the gifts we gave or received wasn’t quite right. Even if things went just fine, the end of frenzied preparations and elaborate celebrations can leave us deflated.

How quickly we forget about the miracle of Jesus’ coming to us! How quickly we can go back to business as usual and risk missing out on the special grace God wants to give us!

If something like this has happened to you, follow Stephen’s example, and sharpen your focus. Jesus has come to be with you. He is not just a baby in a manger. He is also the Lord of heaven and earth, and he stands before you right now, his arms open wide, ready to embrace you. Nothing is outside of his power to heal or comfort or restore. Nothing is outside his power and his love for you.

“St. Stephen, pray for me! I want to learn to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus.”

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17

41 posted on 12/26/2015 7:52:25 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: All
Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for December 26, 2015:

Don't take down those decorations yet! The Christmas season has only just begun. So keep playing Christmas music and rejoicing with your family at our Savior's birth.

42 posted on 12/26/2015 7:56:42 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: All
Regnum Christi

The Power of Witness
U. S. A. | SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY
December 26, 2015 - Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr


 

Mt 10:17-22


Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” 

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I open my heart to you on this new day. Because of your unfailing love for me, you deserve my deep gratitude and complete confidence in you, so I set my entire being at your disposal. Do with me what you wish. I know that you love me and that nothing that can truly harm me will happen as long as I keep striving to live in your love.

Petition: Lord, help me to experience your forgiveness and learn to forgive in return.


  1. “Do Not Hold This Sin Against Them!” These words of St. Stephen (Acts 7:60) repeat Christ’s last words on earth. He has entered into Christ’s heart. He is on fire for his Lord. This fire is making him pass through the same crucible of rejection and death that Christ passed through. And he is walking in the fire without being scorched. His heart burns so much for Christ that it cannot fester with hatred and despair. Like his Lord, he wants only the salvation of his persecutors. Am I letting my heart to be ignited with the flame of love that burns in that Child in the manger? Am I showing the zeal of love that is selfless service?


  1. The Case of Saul: The Acts of the Apostles records the approval of Stephen’s martyrdom by Saul. Saul was a man who thought he understood everything. He thought he knew how evil Stephen was and what a threat his teaching brought. His intentions seemed correct, but he was dead wrong. Saul will later speak of himself as someone born dead. He was dead –– dead in his soul – because he had missed the point. Yet God is merciful. Saul soon becomes St. Paul. Jesus accepts the prayer of Stephen just as the Father accepts the prayer of Jesus. We do not need to be afraid. God accepts our prayers, too. He will do marvels if we persevere in prayer and service.


  1. 3. Hard of Heart: We’re often pushed out of our comfort zone by Christ’s message. We are ready to be forgiven by Christ and by others, but it is not so easy to take the logical next step of quickly and easily forgiving others. To become a forgiving St. Stephen we need to keep in mind that we, too, are Saul. The Christmas Season is a perfect time for a change of heart. By contemplating today the loving face of God in that child in the manger we can experience his tender, infinite love for us. Anchored in his friendship we can gain the magnanimity of heart to set aside any ill will from past injuries and desire for everyone to find the peace and joy that only comes from knowing the Word Incarnate.


Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for the example of St. Stephen, the first martyr of your young Church. On this day after your birth, you also show me the birth of total courage in love. I believe that I am safe in your arms no matter how hard the difficulties. I believe that you entrust me with your mission. Today I renew the commitment to be faithful to my mission as a Christian and an apostle “till death on the battlefield.” Jesus, you are my Lord. I will follow you.

Resolution: Today I will look for the positive side in everyone I meet. I will look beyond their limitations. I will forgive anyone who might offend me.

 


43 posted on 12/26/2015 8:01:39 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 32, Issue 1

<< Saturday, December 26, 2015 >> St. Stephen
 
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
View Readings
Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16-17 Matthew 10:17-22
Similar Reflections
 
Please read: Donations appeal letter
 

THE THREE "LAST WORDS" OF STEPHEN

 
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." —Acts 7:59
 

On Good Friday, we often hear about the seven "last words" of Jesus, uttered as He hung dying in agony upon the cross. Today, we hear the three "last words" of St. Stephen, uttered as he was being stoned to death for his faith in the crucified and risen Jesus. In perfect imitation of Christ, St. Stephen said:

  1. "Look!...I see an opening in the sky, and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand" (Acts 7:56). With St. Stephen, "let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus" (Heb 12:2), so we will able to rejoice in the presence of persecution.
  2. "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59). Stephen prayed this "as [he] was being stoned" (Acts 7:59). Just before He died, Jesus had prayed, "Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit" (Lk 23:46). Disciples imitate Jesus in His character and in His ministry. Such a life trains us to respond as Jesus did in every moment of our life.
  3. "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). This was the last word Stephen spoke before he died. Jesus likewise prayed from the cross: "Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing" (Lk 23:34). We speak out of the abundance of our heart (Lk 6:45). If we forgive always, we can speak forgiveness even when persecuted.

A young Jewish man named Saul of Tarsus was glad to witness St. Stephen's death (Acts 7:58; 8:1). Although Saul wanted Stephen killed, he nonetheless heard the three last words of St. Stephen, and eventually converted to become a great apostle. Be a Stephen. Imitate Jesus daily in word and deed.

 
Prayer: Jesus, may my words bring many to Your kingdom.
Promise: "The Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you." —Mt 10:20
Praise: St. Stephen was "a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit" (

44 posted on 12/26/2015 8:03:50 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: All

The thought of abortion for convenience is repugnant
Thus, the thought of abortion for the sake of convenience does not appeal to me. I am not saying that we should abandon our efforts to save baby seals and a host of other animals. Rather I am saying shouldn’t we consider adding human fetuses and babies to the list?
Quote:
Source: Washington Times, “Physicians View on the Sanctity of Life” , Jan 21, 2014 , Dr. Ben Carson


45 posted on 12/26/2015 8:10:55 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-45 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson