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