Today we will review the life of a Saint that I feel a special kinship to. He is found in the Acts of the Apostles. His feast day is December 26 and is considered the first martyr of the Church. He is also considered the first Deacon of the Church. His name is Saint Stephen. The Acts of Apostles state that Stephen was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders among the people.
The Apostles found that as the disciples of Jesus grew in number, they needed helpers to look after the care of the widows and the poor. So they ordained seven deacons. Stephen was one of seven deacons and is the most famous of them. Stephen spoke with such wisdom and grace that many of the people who heard him became followers of Jesus. Unable to stop Stephen's preaching, his opponents found men who were willing to lie about what Stephen taught. These opponents claimed that "they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God”. At his trial, Saint Stephen scolded the Sanhedrin for not believing in Jesus. This claim caused the Sanhedrin to rise up in great anger and scream at Stephen. Looking up to Heaven at this time Stephen said that he saw the heavens opening and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. It is also noted in the Acts of the Apostles that the Sanhedrin, "looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel." These same men then proceeded to judge Stephen to be guilty of blasphemy. They dragged him outside the city of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. As he was dying St. Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" and begged God not to punish his enemies for killing him.
Another fact about the stoning of Stephen should be noted. It is the presence of a man named Saul, who we read in Acts "was consenting to his death” and at whose feet "the witnesses laid down their garments.” This of course is Saul of Tarsus, who we know will become the great apostle Saint Paul.
The first week of Advent we learned to bring ourselves and others to Jesus through the example of St. Andrew. The second week of Advent we read about St. Juan Diego and how all are important to God. None are too insignificant to have a role in the Church. God has a vocation for each of us and through it we become an instrument for Him in the salvation of all.
St. Stephen reminds us today that the role we play in the Church may not always be one that is easy. It may not be the journey we wish to take but it may be the one we are called to take. Our belief in God and the practice of our faith will sometimes lead to ridicule, beatings and even death. Jesus has already overcome death through his sacrifice on the cross. Death holds no fear over us. Recall the words we read in today Responsorial Psalm: “God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior.” We have been invited by God to go and spread his good news of mercy and love. Let us confidently take up our call from God, unafraid with the knowledge that He is our savior.
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