May 20th - Reflection

Acts 6:8-15 (NRSV)
Stephen is arrested
Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, "This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us." And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Reflection
Contrast Stephen's speech regarding the faith of the fathers and the trust all exhibited in God with the face of Stephen prior to his speech. Stephen was full of grace and power and his face was like the face of an angel. An angel or a messenger, Stephen was about to provide a powerful message to the religious leaders of the day. Stephen was about to deliver a Spirit filled message to all people throughout time.

Two sides were being drawn up here. Stephen filled with the Spirit and the other side filled with confusion and fear.

Will we today stop to listen to the message Stephen has to give? Will we resist with confusion and fear?

When the Spirit speaks listen. Listen and bounce the message off of scripture. Listen and pray to God. Listen and learn to be open. Listen for the Spirit to speak truth and knowledge to you. Then stand up and act. Act boldly in the love God has shown through Jesus. Act in love for God and one another. Listen and act...Thanks be to God for those disciples like Stephen!

Prayer
Lord, may your Word speak to me loud and clear. May your Word speak through me loud and clear. May your Word act through me with all the love you give...today...tomorrow...and forever. --- Amen