By Thamajoy Reang csc.
Readings: Acts 6: 8 – 10; 7: 54 – 59; Mt 10: 10 – 22
Every year after the celebration of Christmas, on December 26, we celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. St. Stephen was full of faith and power and did wonders for the sake of people. The first reading speaks to us about the condemnation and martyrdom of Stephen for his faith and love for the person of Christ. Stephen was filled with grace and power when he stood before people to preach about the kingdom of God. He surrendered himself completely into the hands of God and spoke boldly bearing witness to his faith. But the wisdom of Stephen did not stand for the conversion of the people, instead he was rejected and stoned to death.
In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus foretelling his disciples about the coming of the days, and to be aware when they witness the condemnation and rejection from people. Jesus tells them that they will be delivered to councils and the Synagogues.
Jesus continues saying that they will be rejected and be brought into the hands of governors and the Gentiles. But at the same time, Jesus assured them the Holy Spirit who will guide and speak on their behalf. Even though we just celebrated the great event of the birth of Christ, we witness the condemnation and martyrdom of St. Stephen in the Church.
This Feast of St. Stephen reminds us that our journey for Christ does not end here even though we already have received Christ in our hearts. We still need to share the joy of Christmas to the people around us even if we may experience and fall amid the sufferings and condemnations from the people. We keep sharing Christ in people’s lives and make them experience the love of God for the humanity.