Daily Readings - Mon Dec 26 2022
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 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.