The First Martyr

December 26 is the Feast of St. Stephen Proto-Martyr, or First Martyr.  Christ's Church was still new. The Apostles appointed "deacons" to help them, distributing alms, doing the Lord's work in many ways.  Stephen was one of seven, appointed because of his zeal and holiness.  He had the mission to organize meals for the poor to be fed in common, sort of a soup kitchen of the day. He became renowned for working miracles and, for that reason, leaders from five different synagogues became alarmed. They summoned him before the Sanhedrin. He was the first of the public witnesses of Christ to suffer death. He was stoned.  He died in 36 A.D., only three years after the Crucifixion.  Today's Epistle in the Mass is from the Acts of the Apostles, 6:8-10 and 7: 54-59, and tells the story.

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   In those days, Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people. Now there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines and of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen; and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke. Now, hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth at him. But Stephen being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said: Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. And they crying out with a loud voice stopped their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him. And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And falling on his knees he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord.

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The young man, whose name was Saul, became the great Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, writer of Epistles, a tentmaker, Jewish, but  a Roman citizen. "Saul, why persecuteth thou Me?" Our Lord knocked Saul off his high horse and spoke directly to him. What a conversion!  Stephen forgave his murderers, as did Our Lord Himself. "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Stephen is the role model for the many today around the world who are dying because they are Christians. On Christmas Day Nigerian Catholics were targeted, in various churches, during Christmas Mass - again - and many killed. Pray for all Christians around the world who are suffering and dying, every day,  for their Faith.

Today's Gospel is Matthew 23:34-39. Jesus upbraided the Jews for having killed and stoned the prophets. He foretold that his followers, then the Apostles, but the same holds throughout history, those who believe in Him, would suffer persecution.

12/26/11