COLLECT: “GRANT, LORD, WE PRAY, THAT WE MAY IMITATE WHAT WE WORSHIP, AND SO LEARN TO LOVE EVEN OUR ENEMIES, FOR WE CELEBRATE THE HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY OF A MAN WHO KNEW HOW TO PRAY EVEN FOR HIS PERSECUTORS. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU IN THE UNITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN”.
Acts 6:8-10;7:54-59; Ps 30:3-4,6,8,16-17 and Mt 10:17-22.
We celebrate Saint Stephen today. Saint Stephen is the first Christian Martyr of the Church. Mother Church has purposefully fixed the feast of the martyrdom of Stephen on the 26th of December, a day after the serene, joyful and happy jubilation and celebration of the Birth of the Saviour of fallen humanity and fallen world. This is probably alerting us to the reality of the strife and persecution so common in our world right from the disobedience, sin and fall of Adam and Eve. In other words, after the festive mood of Christmas yesterday, today, the scriptures present to us why Jesus became man and what it entails in his ministry, and in the ministry of his faithful followers.
The Dagaaba have an adage that: “Ka nie tuuro konkaara/zin-nyogra, O na miile la bebegre/memeree”. (Lit. “Anyone who follows, or who is a fisherman’s companion will certainly be soiled with mud”). In a sense, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is a Fisherman and his believers follow him to the lake/pond to fish. In fact, he even called some of his disciples from their fishing careers to become ‘Fishers of men’. Therefore, whatever happens to Jesus and ‘Fisher of men’ will certainly happen to those who faithfully follow him in the world.
At the Presentation in the Temple, old Simeon prophesied this about the infant Jesus: “Look, he is destined for the fall and the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed-and a sword will pierce your soul-so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare” (Lk 2:34-35). Jesus, himself, also spoke about a “Baptism” he must go through and a “Cup” he must drink. He talked about the “Cross” he must carry and told his disciples that ‘whoever wants to be his disciple must carry his cross daily and follow him’.
Again, Jesus described himself as a servant who came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus spoke about fire, he came to set the world on fire, as well as division that would come because of his name, where families would be divided into two, and some family members would be against others. But Jesus assured his followers that those who would endure and persevere through these troubles, persecutions and hardships would be saved and be blessed.
It is not easy to live by these Christian ideals and values. The world and those who think they are in this world and are for this world, will certainly make things difficult and hard for those who want to live, practice and witness these Christian ideals. One way we can live and practice these Christian ideals is to model our spiritual lives into a fine imitation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This was what St. Stephen did, and because of that, he was filled with the grace and power of Jesus Christ. Thus, he fearlessly witnessed to the truth. Stephen indeed, was “’ A man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit’, ‘full of grace and fortitude’”.
St. Fulgentius also said this about St. Stephen: “Love was Stephen’s weapon by which he gained every battle…His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his neighbour made him pray for those who were stoning him. Love inspired him to reprove those who erred, to make them amend; love led him to pray for those who stoned him to save them from punishment.” We need to imitate these qualities of St. Stephen to be true followers of Jesus.
Let us pray for divine inspiration to understand the meaning of Christianity, its demands and cost, and always be ready to accommodate and face any challenges and hardships that may come our way. May St. Stephen intercede for us. Happy feast to all who bear the name Stephen and may you emulate the examples of St. Stephen, your Patron Saint. Stay blessed.
WE MEDITATE TODAY, FRIDAY, ON THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES: ‘THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN, THE SCOURGING AT THE PILLAR, THE CROWNING WITH THORNS, THE CARRYING OF THE CROSS AND THE CRUCIFIXION’ (WE PRAY FOR SORROW FOR SIN, PURITY, COURAGE, PATIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE) “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and the hour of our death, Amen”.
PRAYER: “FOR THE MANY MERCIES WHICH SURROUND US WE GIVE THANKS TO YOU, O LORD, WHO SAVE US THROUGH THE NATIVITY OF YOUR SON AND GLADDEN US WITH THE CELEBRATION OF THE BLESSED MARTYR STEPHEN. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN”.
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Kpiebaya, Catholic Diocese of Wa, UW/R, Ghana. (00233) 0207867239/0545462863. Email: aloybaya20@yahoo.com
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