3rd Week of Easter 2019 - Monday - The Pattern of Jesus' Life

Today’s first reading sees the arrest of St Stephen for proclaiming the message of Christ and the Gospel.  In fact, St. Luke reports many similarities between Stephen’s arrest, trial, and martyrdom, and Jesus’ own arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

First we heard how Stephen was filled with grace and power and working great wonders and signs.  St. Luke records this point to emphasize that the pattern of Jesus’ life is reproduced in his disciples. Just as Jesus performed miracles, so we read in the book of Acts how many disciples, especially the Apostles perform miracles for the building up of the Church. The Apostles fulfill the Lord’s words: “Whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these”

Secondly, just as Jesus’ teachings could not be refuted, Stephen, when debating members of the synagogue, could not be refuted: “they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.”  Though the Gospel is not always what the world wants to hear, doesn’t mean it’s false. In fact, we can be confident that the moral and doctrinal truths of Christianity are true, because they come from God.

Thirdly, when the Jews of the Synagogue become frustrated in arguing with Stephen, they resort to false witnesses, just as occurred in Jesus’ trial.

The powerful witness of the newly ordained deacon Stephen reminds us that successes in Christian ministry, especially in defending the faith against outsider’s attacks, can lead to persecution.  Yet, the Spirit fills us, like Stephen, with grace and power and wisdom and courage, to witness to the truth of the Gospel.

Stephen closely imitated our Lord in proclaiming the Gospel and being rejected and suffering for the prophetic ministry.  Jesus lives with, in, and through those who are united to him in faith. May such faith increase in us, that the pattern of Jesus’ life may be recreated in us for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications.

For the shepherds of our souls, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd.

Through the intercession of St. Stephen, that the deacons of the Church, especially those newly ordained for our diocese this weekend, may be true heralds of the Gospel in their ministry and service.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ, especially for all victims of religious violence.

For our parish, that we may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ.
For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.

December 26 2017 - St. Stephen - The First Martyr

Yesterday, we were joyfully celebrating Christ’s Birth.  Today we commemorate the birth into Heaven of the first martyr of the Church, the Deacon Stephen. And, in the atmosphere of Christmas joy, the celebration of martyrdom seems out of place. In fact, this whole week is pretty bloody: thursday we’ll commemorate the infants of Bethlehem, slaughtered by King Herod and Friday, the murder of the Bishop Thomas Becket in his Cathedral.

The baby Jesus is so loveable, so adorable, and no doubt, we are called to cherish him, to hold him in our arms and love him.  Yet, in holding him so close, we must ensure that we do not stifle him—holding him back from accomplishing in this world what he was sent to accomplish: our salvation.  The temptation is to keep the baby Jesus, small and undemanding.  Yet, to love him, is to love the entire Jesus, cradle to cross: as baby, teacher, master, and lord.

The divine Child in Mary’s arms grows into the same man who says in the Gospel today, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” The babe of Bethlehem calls us to follow him with total trust and faithfulness.

Saint Stephen the deacon followed the Lord’s call.  The word deacon, comes from the Greek Word, diakonia, the New Testament word for service. Stephen is the patron of all deacons, an example for deacons to serve others out of love and to remain ever faithful in the defense of Christ’s teaching.
Not all of us are called to be deacons, but all of us are called to diakonia—to serve in whatever capacity we can—in building up the Church and leading others to Christ.

St. Stephen’s diakonia reminds us of the indivisible link between the Christmas creche and the cross, and that Our Lord came not to be sentimentalized, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.


St. Fulgentius, in a homily for this feast said, “The love that brought Christ from heaven to earth raised Stephen from earth to heaven…Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven.” May St. Stephen help us to more fully and faithfully love and serve the Lord in every dimension of our earthly life, and be made worthy of the kingdom of heaven, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We bring forth now our prayers of petitions.

That all Christians who joyfully celebrated Christ’s birth may be strengthened in Christian charity toward all.

That through the intercession of St. Stephen, all ordained deacons, may be strengthened in faith, hope, and love.

For Christians who are persecuted throughout the world, especially those who face martyrdom, that they may have a faith that is constant and pure.

For those oppressed by hunger, sickness or loneliness, that through the mystery of the Nativity of Christ, they may find relief in both mind and body.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord