Readings:
Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17
Mt 10:17-22

Introduction

From the very beginning of its existence, the Church suffered persecution, like its founder, Jesus. St Stephen was of Greek, pagan origin and highly respected in the young Church of Jerusalem. Like Jesus, he died praying for his persecutors, and entrusted himself, even as he died into the hands of God. He had been one of the seven deacons who assisted the apostles, particularly in the ministry to the poor. He is described in Acts of the Apostles as “filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit” and “full of fortitude.”

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
we honor today St Stephen,
the first martyr of your young Church.
Make us good witnesses like him,
people filled with faith and with the Holy Spirit,
men and women who are full of fortitude,
as we try to live the life of Jesus.
Give us a great trust
that we may live and die in your hands
and make us pray for those who harm us,
that you may forgive them and us.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Scripture Readings

First Reading: Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Some persons then came forward, who belonged to the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia. They argued with Stephen but they could not match the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

When they heard this reproach, they were enraged and they gnashed their teeth against Stephen. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus at God's right hand, so he declared: "I see the heavens open and the Son of Man at the right hand of God."

But they shouted and covered their ears with their hands and rushed together upon him. They brought him out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed saying: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17

R Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake you will lead and guide me.
R Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
R Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
R Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Reading: Mt 10:17-22

Jesus said to his apostles, "Be on your guard with respect to people, for they will hand you over to their courts and they will flog you in their synagogues. You will be brought to trial before rulers and kings because of me, and so you may witness to them and the pagans.

But when you are arrested, do not worry about what you are to say and how you are to say it; when the hour comes, you will be given what you are to say. For it is not you who will speak; but it will be the Spirit of your Father in you.

Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child; children will turn against parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever stands firm to the end will be saved."

(Commentary)

General Intercessions

–   For faithful witnesses, who testify to God and to the values of the gospel by their life and when necessary by their death, we pray:

–   For zealous and compassionate people, who serve their neighbors in their need, we pray:

–   For people persecuted because of their faith, that they may keep steadfast in their faith and strong in the Holy Spirit, we pray:

–   For deacons in the Church, that God may keep them generous in their ministry of service, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God,
we bring before you bread and wine,
as we remember how St Stephen
gave food to the hungry.
Make us, too, ministers of your love,
who care for the poor,
that no one in our Christian communities
may suffer any want.
For we try to be one heart and mind
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
as we celebrate the memory of St Stephen,
take away from us all fear
and dispose us to bear witness in all serenity
to the death and resurrection of Jesus.
May we learn from this martyr
to become more like Jesus
in what we say and in the way we live.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Blessing

How much Stephen was like Jesus , living in the hands of the Father and dying as he forgave those who were killing him and entrusted himself to God. May God give us such a beautiful faith and bless us, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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Gospel Commentary (Thursday)

The mysteries of the life of Jesus, from birth to death, Christmas to Easter, are like a seamless robe. And so, on the second day of Christmas, the liturgy presents the first martyr, witness to Christ. Stephen dies witnessing that Jesus Christ is our divine Lord, the one to whom we pray and entrust our lives upon leaving this world. Stephen witnesses to joy even in the jaws of death, seeing a vision of Jesus in glory at God's right hand, and dying, like Jesus, with words of forgiveness on his lips. The gospel tells us a Christian must expect martyrdom, but will also find the Spirit's presence, nurturing hope in the fullness of life beyond this one.