Love Your Enemies
The feast of St. Stephen celebrates the first martyr of the Catholic Church. The name Stephen is derived from Greek meaning crown or literally “that which surrounds.”
In today’s reading, Stephen is described as “filled with grace and power….working great wonders and signs.” He has detractors, who cannot contradict him, whose fury moves them to ultimately attack him violently and to kill him. St. Stephen maintained his focus on the glory of God and Jesus even as his detractors charged upon him. He appealed to God for the forgiveness of those who stoned him as he lay dying. Today’s gospel has Jesus giving a warning to his disciples but also encouragement.
The disciples should not be afraid to speak for their words would be “the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
St. Stephen’s detractors could not or were unwilling to come to terms with his message.
Have you ever found yourself confronted with a message or information that upset you? Are there people, places or situations that you avoid because they make you uncomfortable?
St. Stephen commended his spirit to the Lord as he lay dying and forgave those who were killing him.
Do you forgive readily? How have you or could you emulate St. Stephen’s ability to forgive?
Jesus told his disciples that God the father would work through them.
Do you give God space to work through you? How does God work through you?
Let us end this reflection with a prayer to St. Stephen:
Lord, we celebrate the entrance of St. Stephen into eternal glory. He died praying for those who killed him. Help us to imitate his goodness and to love our enemies. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Reflection by Crispina Ojeda-Simmons
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