Today is the feast day of the Church's first martyr St. Stephen. His name first comes up in the Acts of the Apostles in chapter 6 in describing the ordination of seven Deacons, "And they chose Stephen , a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost" It further states that "And Stephen , full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people." St. Paul who formerly persecuted Christians is described at being at his death. “The scripture says that Saul, a young man, was present and that he ‘was consenting unto [Stephen's] death’ (Acts 8:1) The Church honors the first martyr a day after the birth of Jesus to send two messages. First ,that early Church was on fire with the Gospel of Christ, and next that His message is worth dying for. We too after the precious gift, the real Christmas gift of yesterday should kindle the fire of our faith. After all the time shared with family and friends, the gatherings at the office, or at church with fellow Christians, the concerts, the shopping excursions, the love that surrounds this wonderful time of the year be carried over to each and everyday. We truly have Christmas everyday if we live it. St Stephen lived it.
Pope Francis
Friday, December 26, 2008
St. Stephen
Today is the feast day of the Church's first martyr St. Stephen. His name first comes up in the Acts of the Apostles in chapter 6 in describing the ordination of seven Deacons, "And they chose Stephen , a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost" It further states that "And Stephen , full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people." St. Paul who formerly persecuted Christians is described at being at his death. “The scripture says that Saul, a young man, was present and that he ‘was consenting unto [Stephen's] death’ (Acts 8:1) The Church honors the first martyr a day after the birth of Jesus to send two messages. First ,that early Church was on fire with the Gospel of Christ, and next that His message is worth dying for. We too after the precious gift, the real Christmas gift of yesterday should kindle the fire of our faith. After all the time shared with family and friends, the gatherings at the office, or at church with fellow Christians, the concerts, the shopping excursions, the love that surrounds this wonderful time of the year be carried over to each and everyday. We truly have Christmas everyday if we live it. St Stephen lived it.
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