St Stephen, the First Martyr

Word for the day

“While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”” Acts 7:59

Life

Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the community in Jerusalem, with the laying on of hands by the apostles, to serve at the daily distribution of food, so that the widows of the Greek-speaking Christians would not be neglected (Acts 6:1–6). The Church sees in the Seven the beginning of the diaconate.

Luke describes Stephen as full of faith and the Holy Spirit, full of grace and power, working great wonders and signs. His opponents could not withstand the wisdom with which he spoke, and they brought him before the Council on false charges (Acts 6:8–15).

In a long speech Stephen retold the history of Israel and accused his hearers of resisting the Holy Spirit as their ancestors had done. Enraged, they dragged him out of the city and stoned him. He saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he died praying for his killers (Acts 7). A young man named Saul, the future apostle Paul, approved of his death.

Lessons

Service and witness

Holiness began in serving widows at table.

Full of the Spirit

His wisdom came from the Spirit.

Forgiveness

He died forgiving, like Jesus.

Stories

Heaven opened (history)

As the stones fell, Stephen gazed into heaven and said that he saw the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55–56).

Saul was watching (history)

The witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul, who approved of the killing (Acts 7:58; 8:1). Saul later became Paul the apostle.

Homily

1. From the table to the altar of martyrdom

Faithful service prepared Stephen for witness.

2. Eyes on heaven

He saw Jesus standing to receive him.

3. Forgiving like Jesus

His prayer bore fruit in Paul.

Dear friends, St Stephen is the first martyr of the Church. Before he gave his life, he served tables, making sure the poor widows received their food. Holiness began for him in practical service.

He was full of grace and of the Holy Spirit, and no one could withstand his wisdom. When he was brought before the Council, his face shone like an angel's.

As they stoned him, he looked up and saw heaven opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He prayed: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit (Acts 7:59), and then: Lord, do not hold this sin against them.

Among those watching was Saul, who would become St Paul. Stephen's forgiveness bore fruit. Let us ask St Stephen for the grace to serve humbly, to bear witness bravely, and to forgive fully. Amen.

Prayer

Grant, Lord, that we may imitate St Stephen, who prayed for those who persecuted him, and learn to love even our enemies. Amen.