In the Church, the day after Christmas (Technically "Wednesday of the Octave of Christmas") is the Feast of Stephen (or, the day that good King Wenceslas looked out). When we look at Saint Stephen's story, it may seem odd that we celebrate our first martyr the day after the Nativity.
So with that, here's my favorite depiction of Stephen, by Rembrandt.
Unlike the majority of saints, Stephen was early enough to be found in the Bible - specifically chapter 6 of the Acts of the Apostles.
Stephen's story begins with a dilemma faced by the Twelve - too many mouths to feed, and not enough help to feed them. So, they appoint Stephen (among several others) to be deacons. Stephen is called "a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit" (6:5) and is presented to the disciples for one of the first "laying of hands" (6:6).
Stephen then goes out preaching the word; which, in this time period, is not very safe to do. Despite the danger, we see Stephen "working great wonders and signs among the people" (6:7)
Eventually, this gets him into disputes with a certain synagogue who, to put it nicely, "could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke" (6:10). To put it less nicely, they thought he was a blasphemer and wanted him dead.
So, they bring him in front of the Sanhedrin and charge him with blasphemy. After the charge, Stephen is given a chance to speak.
He doesn't do what they expect, though. He doesn't defend himself. Stephen, with a face "like that of an angel" (6:15) gives a monologue about salvation history, and how the Jews killed every prophet they were sent. "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the Holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors" (7:51).
That last bit made them mad, but Stephen kept going. "He, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven ad 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." (7:55-56).
Immediately, they rushed him and began to stone him. Taking notes from Jesus, he cried out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." (7:59) and "Lord, do not hold this sin against him" (7:60).
Now, let's go back and take this a little slower. Duc in altum.
First, the name. Jesus (or Emmanuel, Messiah, Christ, what have you) had a lot of meaning. "Peter" meant "Rock". "Stephen", too, has a rich etymological history. Depending who you ask, it could be from the Greek stephanos ("crown"), the Hebrew word for "pattern", strenue fans ("speaking strongly"), strenue stans ("laudably standing") or fans anibus ("instructing old women"). When taken in the context of his ministry, we see Stephen as the eloquent teacher and helper of widows, wearing the crown of martyrdom and serving as the pattern for all those who will be persecuted after him.
Then, as he is being tried, Stephen receives a vision.. In Mark 14, when Jesus is at his own trial, he is asked if he is the Messiah. He say "I AM; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14: 62). Then, years later, Stephen fulfills that prophecy on the exact same spot among the Sanhedrin.
Stephen was unafraid. He trusted that the Holy Spirit would give him the words, as Jesus promised. How much inspiration can we find for today?
We might not physically be stoned for our beliefs, but it is clear that the world today is not friendly to our cause. This is not news, nor is it exclusive to the twenty-first century. Christianity, true following of Christ, will always be persecuted because it goes against the world. I've quoted John 15:18 many times, and it applies here too.
For Stephen, that meant giving up his life for the Church. Are we willing to do the same? Are we willing to surrender everything for the good of Christ? Are we willing to be made fun of for our beliefs, and called all sorts of terrible names for what we do and do not believe is right? Are we willing to give up the world?
That is my challenge to you today. It's not just a lesson. It's not just a story from a long time ago. It is today. The sufferings of Stephen are relevant today because we will all give up our lives. Perhaps not through execution, but certainly giving up the kind of life we perhaps desire.
So, I challenge you. Be like Stephen. Be unafraid. Live in such a way that nobody will ever have to ask you if you are Catholic because it will be that obvious. Yes, it will bring you mockery, scorn and pain...but that's nothing new. Even in the earliest days of the church that's how it went.
Let Stephen be your "pattern" and your "crown". Above all, be not afraid, for the Spirit will fill you.
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