Stephen, filled with grace and power,
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
S aint Stephen's story is much longer than today's brief first reading; and is well worth the time to read it.
Everything we know of him is presented in these 78 verses of Acts 6-8. He is named among the seven deacons in Chapter 6. And no sooner do we learn of his death than we are caught up in the irrepressible spirit of Saint Philip, whose brief story is equally abrupt. Unlike the careers of Saints Peter, John, and Paul, these men appear and disappear, having contributed mightily to our appreciation, love of, and delight in the Holy Spirit.
The scriptures say nothing about the other deacons, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch. But if their careers were equally spectacular we can easily imagine the enthusiasm of those early days in the Church. Despite ferocious opposition from the Jewish establishment,
The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith. (Acts 6: 7)
Governments, driven by popular demand, have occasionally tried to suppress Christmas. Although Midnight Mass began as a pious practice in the fifth century, the tradition remembers later government efforts in Northern Europe to suppress Catholicism. During the darkest years the faithful gathered at midnight in private homes to celebrate the Mass, with the windows shaded and the singing repressed. If the Feast fell on a weekday, they still had to show up in the morning at the factories and shops regardless. The repression finally ended when merchants discovered the marketing opportunities of Christmas. (Think of Dickens' Christmas Carol and O'Henry's Gift of the Magi.)
The feast of Saint Stephen, celebrated on Boxing Day in Canada and other Commonwealth countries, must remind us of the joyous seriousness of our faith. We rejoice despite the best efforts of anti-religious, post-Christian secularism. Even amid all the idolatry and tawdry commercialism we worship the Lord.
Opposition to the Word of God will never go away; nor will we.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.