Daily Readings - Sat Dec 26 2020
Acts
8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.9Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
54When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Matthew
17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.21And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, persecution, and the divine presence in our lives. The first reading from Acts recounts the martyrdom of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the Church. Filled with grace and the Holy Spirit, Stephen performs miracles and proclaims the truth, which leads to his persecution. Despite the anger and violence directed toward him, Stephen remains serene, gazing at the glory of God and seeing Jesus at His right hand. His final prayer, asking the Lord to receive his spirit, exemplifies his deep trust in God even in the face of death.
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, in the midst of these trials, Jesus assures them that the Spirit of the Father will speak through them. This promise of divine assistance is not limited to the disciples but extends to all who follow Christ and endure persecution for His sake.
These readings remind us that following Christ can lead to opposition and suffering, but they also assure us that we are never alone. Stephen’s example shows us how to remain faithful and peaceful even in the face of death, while Jesus’ words encourage us to trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance. In our own lives, when we face challenges or setbacks, we can draw strength from these teachings. Let us strive to imitate Stephen’s courage and trust in God’s providence, knowing that He will give us the words and the grace to persevere, even in the most difficult moments.