The Word of God
Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 10:17-22
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- The dominant message in todays reading is ‘Do Not Fear’. The language used by Jesus aims to calm and reassure. ‘Do not worry’, even in the face of death.
- Our celebration of the feast of St Stephen today contrasts with the readings from yesterday. Jesus is warning his followers that if they continue to follow Him that they will be hated. There is a price to be paid for following Jesus and all that He stands for. Am I, as a Christian, a follower of Jesus, willing to pay the price whatever it may be?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- There is a swift change in tone from yesterday as we celebrate the death of St. Stephen. This is an example of the non-acceptance of Jesus and his message. Being prophetic as Jesus was evoked extreme reaction to Stephen. His death is portrayed like that of Jesus, forgiving his executioners and commending his spirit to the Lord (Acts 5:57-60). We are called to rely on the Lord who remains faithful to us in all situations.
- Accepting Jesus and becoming a follower has its cost but it is the way to life. Stephen gives me a profound message about forgiveness in the spirit of the teaching and example of Jesus. I pray that the Lord may give me wisdom and strength in the challenging situations that I encounter.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- It can seem strange to celebrate St Stephen, who was martyred, right after Christmas Day when our dominant emotion is joy in the birth of Christ. The point, however, is that this is why Christ came on earth, to save us from our sins by his death on the Cross.
- Christian joy is that strange thing, not an emotion, but a deep peace which remains even in the midst of great opposition and difficulty. This will always be part of the Christian life.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- “It is I. Do not be afraid.” How often Jesus re-assures his disciples! We also need to hear these words in the storms of life. The term “Fear of the Lord” appears often in the bible. A better translation is awe or reverence. There is an awe for God that is appropriate, sometimes referred to as filial fear, the respect of a son for his father. This is to be distinguished from servile fear of the servant/master relationship which has no place in our relationship with God.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- “Endurance” is a word which recurs throughout the Old and New Testaments. St Paul tells the Romans that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us”.
- Perhaps it is enough, at times, simply to place ourselves in the presence of the Lord, no matter how disenchanted, how discouraged or how distant from Him we may feel: “By your endurance you will gain your lives” (Lk 21:19).
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Faith in Christ is costly. Jesus promised we would meet opposition, and we do, in different forms. Let us ask for the gift of endurance.
- Jesus also promised that the Holy Spirit would be in our hearts and speak through us. We must prepare ourselves and never be afraid.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- At the first Christmas, we are told, heaven descended to earth and earth ascended to heaven - Jesus joined our life on earth, and through his life, death and eventual rising, the way was opened for his followers among earth’s people to join the life of heaven.
- On 25 December we commemorate the arrival of Jesus on earth – and on the very next day, 26 December, we commemorate that follower of Jesus – Stephen – to first arrive in heaven through martyrdom.
- Jesus despoiled himself of heaven’s glory in order to join our life on earth. And the Christian, in turn, often has to despoil himself or herself of earth’s privileges, even (in martyrdom) of the freedom to live – in order to be worthy of joining the life of heaven. Martyrdom happened to Stephen, and we cannot rule out its happening to any of us.
- In such a predicament, we will need courage – not just to know how to react in words, but to actually go through the ordeal. However, Jesus assures us that his Spirit – the Spirit who now takes his place on earth – will be with us to give us strength.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Saint Stephen embodies the costliness of following Jesus. He is unequivocal in his words. To follow him is to be led into challenging situations where courage and fidelity will be required.
- Lord, thank you for the assurance of our Spirit’s ever presence as I seek to walk faithfully in your way. Give me grace to endure to the end.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Lord, I have not been dragged before governors or kings, but there have been social occasions when I felt like a sheep among wolves, and metaphorically flogged for my faith.
- When I am under pressure, do not forget me; see that I am given what I am to say; and make me brave enough to say it.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus knows well what the world is like. He alerts his disciples with sombre images about what may be ahead: they may be handed over, flogged, betrayed, hated and killed. But he gives another set of images to offset the first. They are not to worry; the Spirit of God will speak through them; those who endure will be saved. The prospects for the followers of Jesus are bleak. He calls for loyalty. He asks for trust – trust that the Father will inspire at the time of need. Families will be divided. Only endurance will be rewarded.
- Lord, today we pray for those who are tormented in your name. Martyrs continue to lay down their lives for you, even today. There are also the more subtle trials that believers endure: scientific scorn, media distortion, opposition to faith perspectives. Give us the gift of endurance in all of this.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Following Jesus is not easy. However, we should remember that he is always with us. C S Lewis once advised a friend: ‘Continue seeking God with seriousness. Unless he wanted you, you would not be wanting him.’
- The following advice, attributed to St Teresa of Avila, says that endurance gains us everything: ‘Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing. God never changes. Patient endurance attains all things. God alone suffices.’
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- It is a shock to read this Gospel immediately after Christmas. But this is the world into which Jesus comes. He does not retreat from it in fear or disgust. He will wrap it in his love, and that will be enough to save humankind. I ask for Jesus’ courage and love.
- The three divine Persons are mentioned in this Gospel. They are busy about this world which they love. They stand with us and empower us. I can rely on them as I try to live out my calling as a disciple.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Lord, I have not been dragged before governors or kings, but there have been social occasions when I felt like a sheep among wolves, and metaphorically flogged for my faith. When I am under pressure, do not forget me. See that I am given what I am to say and help me to be brave enough to say it.
- From the first day of remembering the birth of Jesus, the church remembers the first martyr. Birth and death are intimately connected with Jesus. The word for the place he was born is the same as the word for the 'upper room' where he had the last supper. In many cribs depicting joy of heaven and earth at his birth, a cross is placed in the back. We know that the destiny of this child is for a cruel death. The upper room was also the place fop the coming of the Spirit. In all of life, birth, death and all in-between is the blessing of the Spirit. We can hold our hands open this day for the coming of the spirit at the coming of the Lord.
- St Stephen, in the midst of his sufferings, placed his trust in God. Jesus' words may well have echoed in his ears: "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."
- Wisdom, it is said, is making peace with the unchangeable. Do I make peace with any suffering that comes my way?