Friday, December 25, 2020

Endurance

As Christians, born of the Spirit, we’re taught not only how to live, preach, and witness our faith, but also how to die. By embracing this faith journey, we move ever closer to our eternal life in Christ.

The Feast of St. Stephen provides us with a holy witness to this mission of death and new life. St. Stephen was clearly an inspiration to the early Christian community who suffered great persecutions. While we may not relate to his martyrdom by torture (or so we hope!), we can relate to St. Stephen’s life, mission, and example. According to the Acts of the Apostles, St. Stephen had been commissioned to take bold action to care for those in need. He worked wonders, and his proclamation of the Good News was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:8-59). Stephen verbally challenged the religious authorities and his prophetic speech got him in great trouble-it cost him his life.

We too must trust that the Holy Spirit will support us as we serve and support our community, and as we boldly speak out—even at the cost of upsetting authorities. Like Stephen, it’s our call to proclaim in word and actions the hope revealed in Jesus Christ. St. Stephen was stoned to death for his bold witness. Despite the cruelty of his brutal murder, St. Stephen prayed to the end for those who tortured him. As he died, he verbally turned his spirit over to the Lord. It’s important to note that Paul (then Saul) heard St. Stephen pray to his death. How could St. Paul ever forget this witness of Stephen? He too would follow in Stephen’s footsteps.

While we may not be stoned literally, there are times when we’re stoned by others’ harsh words, cruel actions, or unjust accusations. At these times, how willing are we to forgive our enemies and pray for them? And, like St. Stephen, wouldn’t it be wonderful to leave this world proclaiming aloud "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" St. Matthew clearly has it right as he writes, "whoever endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10: 17-22). Let us live in this hope!

St. Stephen, pray for us!

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"I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it.

I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor:
the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy.

Many souls ... are often worried because they do not have the material means with which to carry out an act of mercy. Yet spiritual mercy, which requires neither permissions nor storehouses, is much more meritorious and is within the grasp of every soul.

If a soul does not exercise mercy somehow or other, it will not obtain My mercy on the day of judgment. Oh, if only souls knew how to gather eternal treasure for themselves, they would not be judged, for they would forestall My judgment with their mercy".