Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 26, 2024
First Reading: Acts 6.8-10; 7.54-59
8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.9Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.10But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
54Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.55But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and 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."57But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.58Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.59And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
Psalm 31
1In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!2Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!3For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me;4you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.5Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.6I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.7I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul,8and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.9Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also.10For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.11Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.12I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.13For I hear the whispering of many--terror on every side!--as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.14But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."15My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!16Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!17O LORD, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol.18Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.19Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!20In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.21Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.22I had said in my alarm, "I am cut off from your sight." But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.23Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!
Gospel: Matthew 10.17-22
17Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,18and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.19When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.20For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.21Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,22and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Sermon
The readings today present us with powerful lessons about faith, persecution, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the first reading from Acts, we witness the martyrdom of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early Church. Stephen, filled with grace and the Holy Spirit, performs great signs and miracles, but his bold proclamation of the Gospel leads to his persecution. Despite the intense anger of his accusers, Stephen remains calm, gazing heavenward and seeing the glory of God with Jesus standing at His right hand. Even as he is stoned, Stephen prays for his persecutors, echoing the forgiveness of Jesus on the cross. This passage reminds us that living out our faith can sometimes lead to suffering, but it also shows us how to face adversity with courage and trust in God.
In the Gospel, Matthew 10:17-22, Jesus warns His disciples about the challenges they will face as they spread the Gospel. He tells them they will be handed over to councils, scourged, and hated by all because of His name. Yet, in the midst of this persecution, Jesus offers a comforting promise: when they are called to speak, it is not they who will be speaking, but the Spirit of the Father who will guide them. This passage emphasizes that our strength in times of trial comes not from ourselves, but from God. It invites us to trust in His providence and to remain steadfast in our faith, even when the world opposes us.
These readings are deeply connected, as both Stephen and the disciples in the Gospel face intense persecution for their faith. Stephen’s martyrdom becomes a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit, who gives him the strength to forgive his enemies even in death. Similarly, Jesus assures His disciples that the Holy Spirit will give them the words to speak when they are called to witness, even in the face of danger. For us today, these readings remind us that living as disciples of Christ may require us to endure hardships, but we are never alone. The Holy Spirit is always with us, guiding us and giving us the courage to persevere. Let us ask for the grace to remain faithful, to trust in God’s plan, and to bear witness to His love, even in the face of adversity.