Persecution in
the midst of celebration.
17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.-Matthew10:17-22
Before Christmas,
the Gospel readings were building up the celebration that would
happen on the 25th. On Christmas Day itself, the world rejoiced for
the birth of the Lord. Quite suddenly, on the 26th day, the Roman
Catholic Church celebrated the martyrdom of St. Stephen - the first
to die for Jesus. Life indeed is full of births and deaths, of
rebirths and deaths. St. Stephen is a gentle reminder to us all Jesus
is with us in whatever stage of life we are in. He is not only
present in the "births" of our life, not only present in
the "Calvarys" and "crosses" of our life, but
also during our death and resurrection where we will go home to dwell
in the place prepared for us in Heaven along with the saints and
angels.
Painting by:
Domenico Fiasella (Martyrdom of St. Stephen)
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