Gospel Reading: Mt 10:17-22
Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
Reflection THE SPIRIT OF YOUR FATHER SPEAKING THROUGH YOU
We celebrate the feast of St. Stephen, protomartyr, first witness among the followers of Christ.
In Acts 6:5 Stephen is named one of the seven deacons chosen to serve the Christian community; he is singled out as “a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit.”
Filled with grace and power, he works great wonders and signs among the people. When certain synagogue members debate with him, they cannot withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he speaks. They stir up the people and the religious leaders against Stephen and have him brought before the Sanhedrin that sentences him to be stoned to death for blasphemy.
As he dies, Stephen gives up his spirit to the Lord Jesus, praying for his executioners. The similarities between his martyrdom and the crucifixion of Jesus picture Stephen as a faithful disciple of Jesus unto death.
In many parts of the world today, Christians lay down their lives for the love of Christ. May we be emboldened by their example and imbued with the same Spirit that gives them courage to witness powerfully to Jesus.
To be a true Christian is not easy, but the Spirit will help you in your weakness (cf Rom 8:26).
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.