Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
REFLECTION
"Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
In difficulties we turn to Jesus Christ and ask for His grace. Everything then becomes manageable as God never fails to offer His help in every occasion. We must ask and listen to Him.
St Stephen was 33 and the first recorded Christian to be martyred after the Resurrection. He was one of 7 deacons ordained by the apostles. He performed signs and wonders in the name of Jesus Christ. For doing so he was brought before the Sanhedrin. He professed that Jesus was the fulfillment of all the prophecies and what the ancestors had said and done. The Sanhedrin still furious, dragged St Stephen outside the walls of Jerusalem and stoned him to death. Following the example of Jesus St Stephen asked God to forgive them.
In the Gospel Jesus tells us that as we witness for Him, we will run into problems. He reassures us not to worry because it is not you who speaks but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Endure the times of hatred, mockery, and people who disagree with the message. " For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice bur rather of power and love and self control." ( 2 Timothy 1:7)
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