Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 26, 2022
First Reading: Acts 6.8-10; 7.54-59
8Then Stephen, filled with grace and fortitude, wrought great signs and miracles among the people9But certain ones, from the synagogue of the so-called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those who were from Cilicia and Asia rose up and were disputing with Stephen10But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking
54Then, upon hearing these things, they were deeply wounded in their hearts, and they gnashed their teeth at him55But he, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and gazing intently toward heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.56And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."57Then they, crying out with a loud voice, blocked their ears and, with one accord, rushed violently toward him58And driving him out, beyond the city, they stoned him. And witnesses placed their garments beside the feet of a youth, who was called Saul59And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Psalm 31
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David according to an ecstasy. In you, Lord, I have hoped; let me never be confounded. In your justice, deliver me2Incline your ear to me. Hasten to rescue me. Be for me a protector God and a house of refuge, so as to accomplish my salvation3For you are my strength and my refuge; and for the sake of your name, you will lead me and nourish me4You will lead me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me. For you are my protector5Into your hands, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth6You have hated those who practice emptiness to no purpose. But I have hoped in the Lord7I will exult and rejoice in your mercy. For you have looked upon my humility; you have saved my soul from needfulness8And you have not enclosed me in the hands of the enemy. You have set my feet in a spacious place9Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am troubled. My eye has been disturbed by wrath, along with my soul and my gut10For my life has fallen into sorrow, and my years into sighing. My virtue has been weakened in poverty, and my bones have been disturbed11I have become a disgrace among all my enemies, and even more so to my neighbors, and a dread to my acquaintances. Those who catch sight of me, flee away from me12I have become forgotten, like one dead to the heart. I have become like a damaged utensil13For I have heard the harsh criticism of many who linger in the area. While assembled together against me in that place, they deliberated on how to take away my life14But I have hoped in you, O Lord. I said, "You are my God.15My fate is in your hands. Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who are persecuting me16Shine your face upon your servant. Save me in your mercy17Do not let me be confounded, Lord, for I have called upon you. Let the impious be ashamed and be drawn down into Hell18May deceitful lips be silenced: those that speak iniquity against the just, in arrogance and in abusiveness19How great is the multitude of your sweetness, O Lord, which you keep hidden for those who fear you, which you have perfected for those who hope in you, in the sight of the sons of men20You hide them in the concealment of your face, from the disturbance of men. You protect them in your tabernacle, from the contradiction of tongues21Blessed is the Lord. For he has shown his wonderful mercy to me, in a fortified city22But I said in the excess of my mind: "I have been cast away from the glance of your eyes." And so, you heeded the voice of my prayer, while I was still crying out to you23Love the Lord, all you his saints. For the Lord will require truth, and he will abundantly repay those who act with arrogance24Act manfully, and let your heart be strengthened, all you who hope in the Lord
Gospel: Matthew 10.17-22
17But beware of men. For they will hand you over to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues18And you shall be led before both rulers and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles19But when they hand you over, do not choose to think about how or what to speak. For what to speak shall be given to you in that hour20For it is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, who will speak in you21And brother will hand over brother to death, and father will hand over son. And children will rise up against parents and bring about their deaths22And you will be hated by all for the sake of my name. But whoever will have persevered, even to the end, the same shall be saved
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, persecution, and the enduring presence of the Holy Spirit. The first reading from Acts recounts the story of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the Church, who faced fierce opposition for his bold proclamation of the Gospel. Despite being filled with grace and wisdom, Stephen was accused, tried, and ultimately stoned to death. Yet, in his final moments, he gazed heavenward, saw the glory of God, and prayed for his persecutors, echoing the words of Jesus on the cross, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
The Gospel from Matthew complements this narrative as Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face. He warns them that they will be handed over to councils, scourged, and hated by all because of His name. Yet, Jesus offers a promise of hope and assurance: “When they hand you over, do not worry about what to speak. The Spirit of your Father will speak in you.” This assurance is not just for the disciples but for all who follow Christ and face persecution or adversity.
These readings remind us that following Christ is not without cost. Stephen’s martyrdom and Jesus’ warnings to His disciples challenge us to consider how we live out our faith in the face of opposition. In our daily lives, we may not face physical persecution, but we are called to stand firm in our beliefs, even when they go against the currents of society. The Holy Spirit, who empowered Stephen to forgive his persecutors and who promises to guide us in our words and actions, is our constant companion. Let us pray for the courage to bear witness to the Gospel with grace and fortitude, trusting that even in the darkest moments, God’s glory is revealed, and His Spirit will never abandon us.