ST. STEPHEN First Martyr for Christ

SAINT STEPHEN

First Martyr for Jesus

Stephen said to the people, the elders, and the scribes:
"You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears,
you always oppose the Holy Spirit;you are just like your ancestors.
Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute?
They put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one,
whose betrayers and murderers you have now become.
You received the law as transmitted by angels,but you did not observe it." (ACTS: 7:51)

You can almost see the fire in Stephen’s eyes as he calls out the people.  Their fury over his words was born of guilt, and the fear that he could be right.  So the only solution was to kill him, which they did.  

Much is made of Saint Paul’s presence at this event. It has always seemed to me to be added as an afterthought.  Since Luke wrote the Acts of the Apostles, did Luke ask Paul about including him in the Acts? It could be that Paul was changed by the similarity between Stephen and himself.  Both of them in imbued with the ability to speak passionately. Did he feel a sense of unease for having watched the stoning?  When Jesus appeared to him and called him by name and asked why he was persecuting his followers, did Paul recall the event? Was that why he surrendered so easily to his blindness and obeyed the direction to go into the city and wait?    Is it possible that Paul’s miraculous change of heart had its beginning that day as the cloaks fell at his feet and Stephen called out the name of Jesus?  

The overwhelming power of the love of God has sustained many people since Stephen.  It was evident in St. Paul and St. Peter and has been evident in numerous followers of Christ.  The presence of Jesus in our hearts, once acknowledged, takes over our lives and reveals strengths we never knew we had. In all honesty, most of us could not or would not preach with the fire of Stephen or Paul.  That does not mean that we can’t share our love of Christ and our conviction that life lived in Him brings peace. Christ was not speaking just to the apostles when he commanded that the world should know of him.  We are expected to hear and obey as well.

On Sunday I had purely random conversation with a couple I met at the Mall. It was fun to share with them. Then as we parted ways, we exchanged first names and the man said, “You pray for me and I’ll pray for you and we’ll see what wonderful things will happen.”   

And there it is, a simple and heartfelt revelation of faith. Unfortunately we are encouraged to get people to come to church, but what we really should be doing is helping them get to know Christ.  We have to convey our belief that we are all bound to Christ and through Him to God.  It’s a beautiful thought and easy to express. So let His love flow through you as you strive to do His will. 

Blessings,

Carol Lemelin OPA