THERE is good reason to believe that St. Stephen was one of the seventy-two disciples of our Blessed Lord. After the Ascension he was chosen one of the seven deacons. The ministry of the seven was very fruitful; but Stephen especially, “full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people.” Many adversaries rose up to dispute with him, but “they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit that spoke.” At length he was brought before the Sanhedrin, charged, like his Divine Master, with blasphemy against Moses and against God.” He boldly upbraided the chief priests with their hard-hearted resistance to the Holy Ghost and with the murder of the “Just One.” They were stung with anger, and gnashed their teeth against him. But when “filled with the Holy Ghost and looking up to heaven, he cried out, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God,’ they rushed upon him, and dragging him forth without the city. they stoned him to death.”
REFLECTION: If ever you are tempted to resentment, pray from your heart for him who has offended you
WORD OF THE DAY
CHRISTMASTIDE. The season of Christmas, generally understood to extend from midnight of Christmas Eve to Epiphany (January 6) inclusive.
Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon SJ (Get the real one at Eternal Life — don’t accept an abridged or edited version of this masterpiece!)
DAILY CHRISTMAS MEDITATIONS
Deepen your appreciation of the Incarnation and our salvation with The Great Truths Series by Fr. Richard Clarke S.J. Read today’s “The New-born Child & The Essential Happiness of Heaven” but consider this:
He teaches us never to judge by appearances. If we had been told that God had come to dwell on earth, would not the stable of Bethlehem have been the last place where we should have sought Him? In how many a humble cottage there may still be found saints more dear to God than even those who have a worldwide repute for their holiness and virtue!
This article, DECEMBER 26 – ST. STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR. is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
https://bellarmineforum.org/december-26-st-stephen-first-martyr/
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