Yesterday, in our reading from the book of Acts we heard how
Stephen, an ordained deacon of the Church, had been working miracles in the
name of Jesus, and how he had, like Jesus, been arrested, and brought to trial
where false witnesses accused him of blasphemy.
Today we hear how Stephen gives a sort of prophetic
indictment against his accusers, who then stone him to death. Again, notice the parallels between Stephen’s
death and Jesus’.
Stephen, before he dies cries out “receive my Spirit”, as
did Jesus, and prays for their forgiveness, as did Jesus.
St. Luke emphasizes these parallels to show that the work of
the Holy Spirit sent upon the Church at Pentecost is to reproduce in Christians
the life of Jesus—to conform us more and more closely to Christ both in life
and death.
Stephen, like Jesus, met hatred and lethal violence with
understanding, love, and forgiveness. He
stands up for the Christian faith, and also puts into practice Jesus’ command
to forgive our enemies. In the face of
death, Stephen’s eyes are set on heaven, upon the eternal reality, granting him
strength, courage, and peace.
Stephen models for us Jesus’ own surrender—showing us that
all of us are to surrender our lives to the Father. The more we practice surrendering our daily
cares to God our loving Father, the easier it will be to commend our spirit to
him at death.
St. Luke tells us, those who listened to his words were
stung to the heart, may Stephen’s words and example sting us out of complacency
to a greater surrender to God in all things for the glory of God and salvation
of souls.
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