Psalm 136: 1-3, 16-18, 21-22, 24
His mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever; Give thanks to the God of gods, for his mercy endures forever; Give thanks to the LORD of lords, for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever. Who led his people through the wilderness, for his mercy endures forever; Who smote great kings, for his mercy endures forever; And slew powerful kings, for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever. And made their land a heritage, for his mercy endures forever; The heritage of Israel his servant, for his mercy endures forever; And freed us from our foes, for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever.
REFLECTION: His mercy endures forever.
Saint Stephen established christianity in Hungary. He had been a pagan but at the age of ten was baptized He is the national hero and spiritual patron of Hungary. He had a special devotion to the poor and established a system of tithing to support the Church and her Priests. Dioceses and monasteries built by Saint Stephen helped expand the Church. He had a kind and gentle soul with easy access by the poor to him and his mercies. He used to disguise himself and would feed the poor.
Pope Sylvester II named him king of Hungary. Pope Sylvester had a special crown made for St Stephen and it is world famous.
God gave us saints so that we can learn by their lives, their examples, their hard work and their love for God. The saints epitomized the virtues we so need to lead a more perfect life. Inspite of his standing, Saint Stephen was able to live a very humble and simple life. "Be merciful to all who are suffeirng violence, keeping always in your heart the example of the Lord who said, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' " (Saint Stephen)
Can we think of ways we have been in a situation where mercy was needed of us? Were we able to give mercy to someone?
God Bless
