Stephen, is venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity,

accused of blasphemy at his tria, stoned to death.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊      

 Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

Stephen,

 

"Immanuel" meaning "God with us,"

God isn't distant but intimately present, offering comfort, guidance, and strength.

 

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Isaiah 7:10-14

Once again

 The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us"

Jesus Christ, the divine "Word", became a real human being,

living among people to reveal God's glory, grace, and truth.

"The Word" : Refers to Jesus, 

 

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Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful

"Let it be done unto me according to your word"

The Virgin Mary complete acceptance and trust in God's will, showing faith and humility.

calling her to be the instrument he needed to bring our world the King of Kings,

she could not understand the wisdom of God’s plan, but still she answered. 

 

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Isaiah 7:10-14

Once again the Lord

 "Jesus Christ is the face of the Father's mercy"

From Pope Francis's 2015 papal bull, "Misericordiae Vultus",

In Jesus's life, God's compassionate love is made visible

and tangible for humanity, revealing His merciful nature to us. 

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

When the king

 "Accepting God's plan."

 Accepting God's plan involves trusting His wisdom over your own.(Isaiah 55:8-9) 

surrendering your will, Ask for His will to be done, His will is ultimately better for you.(Proverbs 3:5-6).

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a

There was a man of Zorah of the tribe of Dan, called Manoah. His wife could not bear children. 

The angel of Yahweh appeared to this woman and said to her, “You have not borne children and have not given birth,

but see, you are to conceive and give birth to a son. Because of this, take care not to take wine or any alcoholic drink,

nor to eat unclean foods from now on,  for you shall bear a son who shall be a Nazirite of Yahweh from the womb of his mother.

Never shall his hair be cut for he is consecrated to Yahweh. He shall begin the liberation of the Israelites from the Philistine oppression.” 

 

The woman went to her husband and told him, “A messenger of God who bore the majesty of an angel spoke to me.

I did not ask him where he came from nor did he tell me his name.  But he said to me: ‘You are to conceive and give birth to a son.

Henceforth, you shall not drink wine or fermented drinks, nor eat anything unclean,

for your son shall be a Nazirite of God from the womb of his mother until the day of his death.’”

The woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew and Yahweh blessed him, and the Spirit of Yahweh began to move him. 

 

Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 

My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Luke 1:5-25

In the days of Herod,

 

 

St. John of Kanty, priest

Fight all error but do it with good humor, patience, kindness and love.

Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause.

 

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Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24

Now I am

 "You shall call him "Jesus'."

While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream.

God’s angel spoke in the dream: Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to

get married Mary. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived.

She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph,

will name him Jesus —‘God saves’—. he will save his people from their sins.

 

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Jeremiah 23:5-8

The Lord further says,

When we venerate Mary,

Mary’s yes to God (“be it done to me according to thy word” (Lk1:38)),

At the same time to imitate her as a model of faith and virtue. 

 

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1 Samuel 1:24-28

When the child was weaned,

 "God's merciful love is steadfast"

God's love isn't dependent on our performance;

it's constant and reliable, this truth provides confidence and security,

《Lamentations》: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end."

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

1st Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10

"Gather around,