St Stephen, Martyr: Saturday 26th December, 2020 December 26, 2020
Reflection on the WORD
Salvation – Price to Pay: In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of the painful challenges and great price we may be called to pay for the faith that offers Eternal Salvation. St Stephen, the first martyr testifies to this truth. Ponder on, “Am I willing to ‘die to myself’ and allow God’s Spirit to reign and blossom in my heart and life”?
Matthew 10:17-22
Jesus said to his apostles: ‘Be prepared for people to hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, as evidence to them and to the gentiles. But when you are handed over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes, because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will come forward against their parents and have them put to death. You will be universally hated on account of my name; but anyone who stands firm to the end will be saved.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- •St Stephen as the first martyr gave the Church the powerful witness of what total commitment to the Good News of salvation means.
- •Jesus cautioned His apostles and us, today that if we want to be His followers, then we must be prepared to deny ourselves and carry our crosses willingly and wholeheartedly like Him.
- •Pray and believe that the Holy Spirit within you will support you and speak out for you when you are being challenged and even persecuted for your belief and for living out the Good News.