READING OF THE DAY
A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
ACTS 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Stephen, filled with grace and power,
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,
Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia,
came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.
When they heard this, they were infuriated,
and they ground their teeth at him.
But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,
looked up intently to heaven
and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
and he said,
“Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man
standing at the right hand of God.”
But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,
and rushed upon him together.
They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.
The witnesses laid down their cloaks
at the feet of a young man named Saul.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
GOSPEL OF THE DAY
From the Gospel according to Matthew
MT 10:17-22
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
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.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
Monday The Second Day in the Octave of Christmas
Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
(Mt 10:17-22)
God’s Word for Us
Dear people of God,
The Word of God today, God says to all humanity that when anyone walks in the way of Jesus Christ, he will have to go through difficulties, trials, tribulations, and hardships. This is especially so for the disciples when they followed the Most Holy Master Jesus. He taught them that: For my name’s sake, you will be hated by all; but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
God’s Word reminds all disciples: When you follow Jesus on this worldly path, you will encounter persecution and condemnation, for the Son of God Himself, out of love for man, came down to earth and suffered hardships, persecutions, condemnations, suffering, and death. God wanted to teach the Apostles this in advance so they would be awake when facing difficulties and trials, so they would stand firm against the temptations of Satan.
Humanity today is falling into Satan’s many traps. God invites His apostles: Courageously, joyfully bear witness to the love of God that dwells on this earth. It is the love of God that will drive away the darkness and the sins. It is the love of God that will overthrow Satan’s snares and plans, and, with faithfulness and loyalty to follow Jesus Christ, the Apostles will overcome trials and difficulties.
God also taught them that: When you are brought before the synod, questioned, condemned, or persecuted, put aside worry and fear. Stand firm in your belief because it is at that time that the Holy Spirit will shelter, preserve, protect, and guide you with words to say to please God and actions to take to make Satan submit.
Jesus Christ taught the Apostles in the past through His experiences. He invites His apostles of today: Listen to the Word of God; look up to the image of a loving Jesus dying on the cross. Show your faith and perseverance by following the Way of the Cross of Jesus Christ, because it is through suffering that you attain glory.
Today, God wants humanity to look up to the image of the first martyr Stephen, and to imitate his virtues: charity, selflessness, and a love that conquers death. It was he who was faithful, loyal to God the Father, and completely trusted in the love of God the Father. God saved his soul when he had the courage to bear witness to the Holy Name of God. God of love is in the midst of this world. God invites His apostles: Also know how to entrust your souls to God, know how to take care of your souls, and be willing to forgive those who harm you. Let love overcome death, hatred, jealousy, and selfishness. Instead, live with love, charity, and selflessness as the Son of God of love Himself lived and died on the Cross for the love of all mankind.
Thanks Be to God. Amen.
