＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

Stephen, full of grace and power,

Did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Some persons then came forward, who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia. 

They argued with Stephen but they could not match the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. When they heard this reproach, they were enraged and they gnashed their teeth against Stephen. 

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus at God’s right hand, so he ­declared: “I see the heavens open and the Son of Man at the right hand of God.”

 But they shouted and covered their ears with their hands and rushed together upon him. They brought him out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed saying: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

 

Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 & 8ab, 16bc & 17

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Matthew 10:17-22

Be on your guard with respect to people, for they will hand you over to their courts and they will flog you in their syna­gogues. You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings because of me, and so you may witness to them and the pagans.

 But when you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say and how you are to say it; when the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say. For it is not you who will speak; but it will be the Spirit of your Father in you.

Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Immediately after the joyful white of Cristmas the priest puts on the red of martyrs! St. Stephen announces that this Jesus of Nazareth will be put to death but will rise on the third day. He offers his life to witness to this truth. And he will pray the prayer of Jesus from the cross, “ Into your hands I commend my spirit.”

St. Stephen is the first martyr for Christ. He is the proto-martyr, probable some 3 years after the death of Jesus (ca. 36 AD). And he begins the long line of martyrs of the Church.

Matthew did write that the followers of Jesus will be victims in a world that refuses to accept Jesus as Lord-Adonai! Matthew also tells us that Jesus assures his disciples will be given wisdom from above.

We pray for martyrs in our own time, a time of martyrdom, as in the early days! There are many who hate those who follow Christ. We must always respond to hatred with forgiveness and extend the hand of peace!