THE MARTYRDOM OF STEPHEN

Christmas: Saint Stephen

The contrast is enormous. Yesterday, Christmas Day, we had the crib of the newly born child, with the singing of the angels and the visit of the Shepherds. Today here is the blood of Stephen, stoned to death, because he had the courage to believe in the promise expressed in the simplicity of the crib. This feast seems out of sync with the general mood of the Christmas season. However, this feast is not totally out of tune with Christmas. The martyrdom of Stephen puts in perspective the purpose of the birth of the Child Jesus. He came to save and liberate us from the wages of sin and death. This sweet little infant laying in the manger is destined for a violent but glorious end.

Saint Stephen's death this close, the very next day after the birth of the Savior, teaches us why this child was born.  He was born to be the Martyr, the Witness of the Father's love by shedding his blood on the Cross.  Yes, God wants us to rejoice and enjoy the radiance of the manger scene, but not have illusion whatsoever about this little child.

            Today, the feast of Stephen, first martyr, the liturgy presents us a passage from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 10, 17-22), taken from the so called Sermon of the Mission (Mt 10, 5-42). In it Jesus advices the disciples saying that fidelity to the Gospel implies difficulties and persecutions. And that whoever endures to the end will be saved. The martyrdom of Stephen teaches us how to endure. He gazed upon Christ seated at the right hand of the Father. He drew his strength for the Lord in prayer. We need to find strength from the experience of being loved that can only come from frequent, intense, and profound contact with God through prayer, especially in the source, summit, and center of Christian prayer, the holy sacrifice of the Mass.