It might seem odd that the day after we celebrate the birth
of Jesus, we have a feast for a martyr.
But the Church deliberately gives us a day to reflect on St. Stephen
immediately after the baby Jesus.
First,
we recognize that Christ came into our world that is full of sin, death and
destruction. There is a war going both
for the world and for our soul.
Luke vividly describes the response of Stephen’s enemies, and in so
doing sets forth what we face as well: “When
they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him.” No one has ever claimed our Christian
walk is easy.
At
the same time, God’s love is great.
It is through this love that He sent His son as a baby in
Bethlehem. Christ’s love—coming down
to us from heaven—allows someone like Stephen to enter into heaven. Christ’s love was so great that he
prayed even for those who crucified him—“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Stephen—living
in God’s love—prayed for his enemies too—“Lord,
do not hold this sin against them.”
In
the battle for our faith and souls, we have an exemplary model in St.
Stephen. And we have nothing to
fear, because God always wins.
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