Daily Catholic Mass Readings for December 26, 2025
First Reading: Acts 6.8-10; 7.54-59
8Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen,10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
Psalm 31
1In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.2Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.3Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.4Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.5Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.6I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD.7I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.8You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.9Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.10My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.11Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends- those who see me on the street flee from me.12I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.13For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.14But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."15My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.16Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.17Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave.18Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.19How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.20In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.21Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city.22In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.23Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.24Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Gospel: Matthew 10.17-22
17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.18On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.21"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.22All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Sermon
Today we hear the powerful account of Saint Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, in the Acts of the Apostles. Filled with grace and the Holy Spirit, Stephen performed wonders and spoke with such wisdom that his adversaries could not withstand him. Enraged by his testimony and his vision of Jesus at the right hand of God, they dragged him out and stoned him to death, while he, echoing Christ’s own words, prayed for the Lord to receive his spirit. This vivid narrative finds its prophetic echo in our Gospel reading from Matthew, where Jesus warns his disciples of the persecutions they will face: being handed over to councils, scourged, and hated for his name. He assures them, however, that the Holy Spirit will speak through them in their hour of need, and that salvation belongs to those who persevere to the end. Stephen's martyrdom is a direct fulfillment of these very words, showcasing the cost of discipleship and the divine strength granted to endure it.
In our daily lives, while we may not face literal stoning, we encounter various forms of opposition or indifference to our faith. It could be ridicule for holding fast to Christian values, pressure to conform to worldly ideologies, or even quiet exclusion in our workplaces or social circles. These readings call us to reflect on our own fortitude and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Are we prepared to speak the truth with wisdom and grace when challenged? Do we allow the Spirit to guide our words and actions, rather than succumbing to fear or the desire for human approval? Stephen’s unwavering witness, even to the point of death, reminds us that our faith is not merely a private belief but a call to courageous proclamation and steadfast endurance.
The profound lesson in these passages is the call to perseverance in faith, regardless of the trials we face. Stephen gazed upon heaven, seeing Christ, and this vision strengthened him to endure his violent death. Similarly, Jesus promises salvation to those who persevere to the end, reminding us that our ultimate hope lies not in earthly comfort but in eternal communion with God. Let us pray for the same grace and fortitude that filled Saint Stephen, that we too may be empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness to Christ courageously, trust implicitly in God’s providence, and persevere in faith and love until our journey's end, always looking towards the heavenly glory where Christ awaits us.