December 26th - Reflection

Reading
Stephen, Deacon and Martyr
Acts 6:1-7; 7:51-60 (NRSV)
The stoning of Stephen
Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word." What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. ...

"You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it."

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.

Reflection
Stephen full of faith and the Holy Spirit. God had come to Stephen like God comes to us this Christmas. God comes to us and graciously gives us faith. And through our baptism we are granted that most awesome gift of the Holy Spirit. A journey begins in life for each one of us. We are now Children of God! Like Stephen, we are called into to action. We are called to GO!!! We are called to tell our unique story of God active in our lives. We are called to proclaim God's life active in our life. We are called and filled full of faith and the Holy Spirit.

But it won't be a cake walk. Surely we are blessed; but this walk with God will be a battle with the forces that oppose God's will. So, called and full of faith and the Holy Spirit, we must take a stand. Take a stand with the courage that Jesus had on earth and has to this day. Take a stand for and with the weak, sick, homeless, poor and afflicted. Take a stand and willingly go to battle against evil forces that are more powerful than we are. Battle evil forces against which we must depend on the faith and Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus can only overcome. We will lose the battle on our own. But we have faith and the Holy Spirit and Jesus that has overcome these evil forces and we will live in Jesus as He lives in us.

So Stephen takes a stand. Full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Stephen takes a stand and his earthly life if snuffed short. But that's not the end. God has much more in store for Stephen. And God needs you and me to do our part as He needed Stephen to do his. God needs me and I need God. Full of faith and the Holy Spirit, day after day, I continue the call. Proclaim God's activity in my life. Be obedient to the call. Walk side by side and comfort those in need. Live in compassion and love for those God sends into our lives day after day. Battle the effects of evil, and love those who God has given to you. And with courage and strength, love your enemies and do not hold sin against them.

Full of faith and the Holy Spirit! God has richly blessed each one of us. Now let's GO!!! in His strength and love and live the life He has called us to live, today, tomorrow and forever. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, fill me with faith and Your Holy Spirit that I may live like Stephen and love like Jesus. I will live obedient to the call. ---Amen