From: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Stephen’s Arrest
[8] And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among
the people. [9] Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the
Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians,
and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. [10] But
they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
The Martyrdom of Stephen
[54] Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground
their teeth against him. [55] But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into Heaven
and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; [56]
and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing
at the right hand of God.” [57] But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped
their ears and rushed together upon him. [58] Then they cast him out of the ci-
ty and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a
young man named Saul. [59] And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed,
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
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Commentary:
8-14. From the text it would appear that Stephen preached mainly among Hel-
lenist Jews; this was his own background. Reference is made to synagogues
of Jews of the Dispersion (Diaspora). These synagogues were used for worship
and as meeting places. The very fact that these Hellenist Jews were living in
the Holy City shows what devotion they had to the Law of their forebears.
No longer is it only the Sanhedrin who are opposed to the Gospel; other Jews
have been affected by misunderstanding and by misrepresentation of the Chris-
tian message.
The charge of blasphemy—also made against our Lord—was the most serious
that could be made against a Jew. As happened in Jesus’ case, the accusers
here resort to producing false witnesses, who twist Stephen’s words and ac-
cuse him of a crime the penalty for which is death.
55-56. “It is clear”, St. Ephraem comments, “that those who suffer for Christ
enjoy the glory of the whole Trinity. Stephen saw the Father and Jesus at His
side, because Jesus appears only to his own, as was the case with the Apos-
tles after the Resurrection. While the champion of the faith stood there help-
less in the midst of those who had killed the Lord, just at the point when the
first martyr was to be crowned, he saw the Lord, holding a crown in His right
hand, as if to encourage him to conquer death and to show that he inwardly
helps those who are about to die on his account. He therefore reveals what
he sees, that is, the heavens opened, which were closed to Adam and only
opened to Christ at the Jordan, but open now after the Cross to all who share
Christ’s sufferings, and in the first instance open to this man. See how Ste-
phen reveals why his face was lit up: it was because he was on the point of
contemplating this wondrous mission. That is why he took on the appea-
rance of an angel—so that his testimony might be more reliable” (”Armenian
Commentary, ad loc.”).
57-59. The cursory trial of Stephen ends without any formal sentence of death:
this Jewish tribunal was unable to pass such sentences because the Romans
restricted its competence. In any event no sentence proves necessary: the
crowd becomes a lynching party: it takes over and proceeds to stone Stephen,
with the tacit approval of the Sanhedrin.
Tradition regards Stephen as the first Christian martyr, an example of fortitude
and suffering for love of Christ. “Could you keep all God’s commandments,” St.
Cyprian asks, “were it not for the strength of patience? That was what enabled
Stephen to hold out: in spite of being stoned he did not call down vengeance
on his executioners, but rather forgiveness.... How fitting it was for him to be
Christ’s first martyr, so that by being, through his glorious death, the model of
all the martyrs that would come after him, he should not only be a preacher of
the Lord’s Passion, but should also imitate it in his meekness and immense
patience” (”De Bono Patientiae”, 16).
Martyrdom is a supreme act of bravery and of true prudence, but to the world
it makes no sense. It is also an expression of humility, because a martyr does
not act out of bravado or overweening self-confidence; he is a weak man like
anyone else, but God’s grace gives him the strength he needs. Although mar-
tyrdom is something which happens rarely, it does show Christians what hu-
man nature can rise to if God gives it strength, and it establishes a standard,
both real and symbolic, for the behavior of every disciple of Christ.
“Since all the virtues and the perfection of all righteousness are born of love of
God and one’s neighbor,” St. Leo says, “in no one is this love more worthily
found than in the blessed martyrs, who are nearest to our Lord in terms of imi-
tation of both His charity and His Passion.
“The martyrs have been of great help to others, because the Lord has availed
of the very strength as He granted them to ensure that the pain of death and
the cruelty of the Cross do not frighten any of His own, but are seen as things
in which man can imitate Him....
“No example is more useful for the instruction of the people of God than that of
the martyrs. Eloquence is effective for entreating, argument for convincing; but
examples are worth more than words, and it is better to teach by deeds than
by speech” (”Hom. on the Feast of St. Laurence”).
The Second Vatican Council has reminded us of the excellence of the martyr-
dom as a form of witness to the faith. Although there are heroic ways of imita-
ting and following our Lord which do not involve the drama of bloodshed and
death, all Christians should realize that confession of the faith in this way is
not a thing of the past and is sometimes necessary.
“Since Jesus, the Son of God, showed His love by laying down His life for us,
no one has greater love than he who lays down his life for Him and for his bro-
thers (cf. 1 John 3:16; John 15:13). Some Christians have been called from the
beginning, and will always be called, to give this greatest testimony of love to
all, especially to persecutors. Martyrdom makes the disciple like his Master.
[...] Therefore, the Church considers it the highest gift and supreme test of love.
And although it is given to few, all must be prepared to confess Christ before
men and to follow him along the way of the Cross amidst the persecutions
which the Church never lacks.
“Likewise the Church’s holiness is fostered [...] by the manifold counsels which
the Lord proposes to His disciples in the Gospel” (Vatican II, “Lumen Gentium”,
42).
The Liturgy of the Church sums up the asceticism and theology of martyrdom
in the preface for Christian martyrs: “Your holy martyr followed the example of
Christ, and gave his life for the glory of Your name. His death reveals Your po-
wer shining through our human weakness. You choose the weak and make
them strong in bearing witness to You.”
Like Jesus, Stephen dies commending his soul to God and praying for his
persecutors. At this point St. Luke brings in Saul who cooperates in the pro-
ceedings by watching the executioners’ clothes; Saul will soon experience
the benefits of Stephen’s intercession. “If Stephen had not prayed to God,
the Church would not have had Paul” (St. Augustine, “Sermons”, 315, 7).
Stephen has died, but his example and teaching continue to speak across
the world.
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
From: Matthew 10:17-22
Jesus’ Instructions to the Apostles
(Jesus said to His disciples,) [17] Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to
councils, and flog you in their synagogues, [18] and you will be dragged before
governors and kings for My sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles.
[19] When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what
you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; [20] for
it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. [21]
Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will
rise against parents and have them put to death; [22] and you will be hated by
all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
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Commentary:
16-23. The instructions and warnings Jesus gives here apply right through the
history of the Church. It is difficult for the world to understand the way of God.
Sometimes there will be persecutions, sometimes indifference to the Gospel
or failure to understand. Genuine commitment to Jesus always involves effort
—which is not surprising, because Jesus Himself was a sign of contradiction;
indeed, if that were not the experience of a Christian, he would have to ask him-
self whether he was not in fact a worldly person. There are certain worldly things
a Christian cannot compromise about, no matter how much they are in fashion.
Therefore, Christian life inevitably involves nonconformity with anything that goes
against faith and morals (cf. Romans 12:2). It is not surprising that a Christian’s
life often involves choosing between heroism and treachery. Difficulties of this
sort should not make us afraid: we are not alone, we can count on the powerful
help of our Father God to give us strength and daring.
20. Here Jesus teaches the completely supernatural character of the witness
He asks His disciples to bear. The documented accounts of a host of Christian
martyrs prove that He has kept this promise: they bear eloquent witness to the
serenity and wisdom of often uneducated people, some of them scarcely more
than children.
The teaching contained in this verse provides the basis for the fortitude and con-
fidence a Christian should have whenever he has to profess his faith in difficult
situations. He will not be alone, for the Holy Spirit will give him words of divine
wisdom.
********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.
December Devotion: The Immaculate Conception
Since the 16th century Catholic piety has assigned entire months to special devotions. The month of December is traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. The Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first moment of her conception, by a singular privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior and hers, was preserved from all stain of original sin. This age-old belief of the Church was defined by Pope Pius IX in 1854 as an article of revealed truth. Mary was in need of redemption and she was indeed redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. The manner of Mary's redemption, however, was unique. Instead of being freed from original sin after having contracted it, she was preserved from contracting it. This was a most fitting favor for the Mother of the Redeemer.
INVOCATION
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
TO THE VIRGIN IMMACULATE
O Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, from thy sublime height turn upon me thine eyes of pity. Filled with confidence in thy goodness and knowing full well thy power, I beseech thee to extend to. me thine assistance in the journey of life, which is so full of dangers for my soul. And in order that I may never be the slave of the devil through sin, , but may ever live with my heart humble and pure, I entrust myself wholly to thee. I consecrate my heart to thee for ever, my only desire being to love thy divine Son Jesus. Mary, none of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I too be saved. Amen.
PRAYER OF PRAISE
O pure and immaculate and likewise blessed Virgin, who art the sinless Mother of thy Son, the mighty Lord of the universe, thou who art inviolate and altogether holy, the hope of the hopeless and sinful, we sing thy praises. We bless thee, as full of every grace, thou who didst bear the God-Man: we all bow low before thee; we invoke thee and implore thine aid. Rescue us, 0 holy and inviolate Virgin, from every necessity that presses upon us and from all the temptations of the devil. Be our intercessor and advocate at the hour of death and judgment; deliver us from the fire that is not extinguished and from the outer darkness; make us worthy of the glory of thy Son, O dearest and most clement Virgin Mother. Thou indeed art our only hope, most sure and sacred in God's sight, to whom be honor and glory, majesty and dominion for ever and ever world without end. Amen.
Saint Ephrem the Syrian
PRAYER OF POPE PIUS XII
This prayer, dedicated to Mary Immaculate, was composed by the Pope for the Marian Year (December 8, 1953-December 8, 1954), which was proclaimed to mark the centenary of the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
Enraptured by the splendor of your heavenly beauty, and impelled by the anxieties of the world, we cast ourselves into your arms, 0 Immacuate Mother of Jesus and our Mother, Mary, confident of finding in your most loving heart appeasement of our ardent desires, and a safe harbor from the tempests which beset us on every side.
Though degraded by our faults and overwhelmed by infinite misery, we admire and praise the peerless richness of sublime gifts with which God has filled you, above every other mere creature, from the first moment of your conception until the day on which, after your assumption into heaven, He crowned you Queen of the Universe.
O crystal fountain of faith, bathe our minds with the eternal truths! O fragrant Lily of all holiness, captivate our hearts with your heavenly perfume! 0 Conqueress of evil and death, inspire in us a deep horror of sin, which makes the soul detestable to God and a slave of hell!
O well-beloved of God, hear the ardent cry which rises up from every heart. Bend tenderly over our aching wounds. Convert the wicked, dry the tears of the afflicted and oppressed, comfort the poor and humble, quench hatreds, sweeten harshness, safeguard the flower of purity in youth, protect the holy Church, make all men feel the attraction of Christian goodness. In your name, resounding harmoniously in heaven, may they recognize that they are brothers, and that the nations are members of one family, upon which may there shine forth the sun of a universal and sincere peace.
Receive, O most sweet Mother, our humble supplications, and above all obtain for us that, one day, happy with you, we may repeat before your throne that hymn which today is sung on earth around your altars: You are all-beautiful, O Mary! You are the glory, you are the joy, you are the honor of our people! Amen.
Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954
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