St. Stephen

Yesterday. we celebrated the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The beginning of our salvation is at hand. Today, we honor St. Stephen, the first martyr after Christ's Ascension. He had chastised the Jews, told them of their errors, and was stoned to death for it. But, he reached the goal that is promised to all, us included, who remain faithful to the end in the Truth. I will let a great Liturgical Poet, Adam of St. Victor, give us this day's meditation.

'Yesterday the world exulted, and in its exultation celebrated the Birth of Jesus.
Yesterday the Angelic Choir in great joy stood round the King of heaven.

The Protomartyr and Deacon Stephen, illustrious for his faith, illustrious for his holy life, illustrious also for his miracles, on this day triumphed, and in his triumph, vanquished the unbelieving Jews.

These enemies of the Light rage like savage beasts at seeing their own defeat.
Flinch not, Combatant! Thou art sure of thy reward: fight and persevere, O Stephen!

Withstand the false witnesses, and confute by thy answers the synagogue of Satan.

Thine own Witness is in heaven, a Witness true and faithful, and he is Witness of thine innocence.

Thy name is The Crowned: it behooves thee to suffer, so to win thy Crown of glory.
For a Crown which is to last forever, what are torments which last but an hour, and are followed by victory?

Thy death will be thy Birth: thy last pang will introduce thee into eternal life.

Full of the Holy Ghost, Stephen fixes his gaze on the heavens above: Seeing there the glory of God, he pushes on to victory, he pants for the crown.

Behold, Stephen! on God's right hand is thy Jesus, and he is fighting for thee.
Boldly tell it to the crowd that the heavens are opened for thee, and that Jesus shows Himself to thee.

He then commends his spirit to his Saviour, for whom he deems it sweet to be thus stoned to death.

Saul makes himself guardian of the garments of all that cast the stones: casting thus himself each stone they throw.

But Stephen, compassionating their madness, falls on his knees, and prays that this sin be not laid to the charge of his murderers.

Thus did he sleep in Christ, who thus imitated Christ: and now forever lives with Christ: Stephen, first of Martyrs.

St. Augustine and common report assure us that he raised up six men in Africa.
When, through God's mercy, his relics were discovered, the earth, which was parched by a drought, received a plentiful rain.
The very fragrance that came from his relics put diseases and demons to flight. Truly, then, is he worthy of praise and honour and eternal remembrance.

O Martyr, whose name is so dear to the Church! refresh our fainting world by celestial fragrance. Amen.'



Maybe we should ask St. Stephen for prayers and guidance, that if we are ever in the position to give our lives for Christ, as he did, we could be as strong. Amen.