December 26th - Reflection

Stephen, Deacon and Martyr
Acts 6:8-7:2a, 51-60 (NRSV)

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.

Then the high priest asked him, "Are these things so?" And Stephen replied:

"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
I can move and run and dodge God quite a bit. I do this all the time. I rebel against God and don't do God's will many times. I can be as stubborn and stiff necked as anyone else. It's no wonder that the people were mad at Stephen when he told the truth about them and me. I'm guilty of the death of Jesus and in some way or another many others are guilty of Jesus' death also.

But don't take the bitterness of your own sin out against the messenger who is trying to lead you to true life. There is a better way. We all fall short. Stephen, with his witness, was showing the way to Light and Life and the Word made flesh.

Stop... listen... hear the Good News and repent. God is here for you, not against you. And then... take on the bold task of Stephen and profess that Gospel to all the world. You never know who may be turned to the Light.

Prayer
Lord I give you thanks for speaking through your servant Stephen. May we all speak with the boldness you have given Stephen, the life giving Gospel you have given to each one of us... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen