THE FATHER SPEAKS THROUGH YOU
The
day after Christmas, we are rudely interrupted in our meditation on the
child Jesus in the manger by the martyrdom of Stephen. He is the first
martyr to witness to Jesus. It comes as a rude shock as we have been
celebrating in joy and peace the great birth of Jesus, Son of God made
man.
Some
30 years after His birth we have these words put on the lips of Jesus
in the Gospel. Jesus is now speaking to His disciples, reassuring them
that if they remain close to Him, they remain close to the Father. The
Spirit of the Father will be speaking through them. Throughout His life,
Jesus spoke with the authority of the Father. The Spirit was upon Him,
since His baptism in the Jordan. Jesus was confident in the Father who
made His voice known through His actions and teachings. The Gospel seems
violent after the celebration of the birth of Jesus. But we must
realize that the birth of Jesus was always to be a shaking of the
underworld with all its
power and fury unleashed. The Kingdom of God was now at hand through the
Incarnation. Satan is not happy!
The
Acts of the Apostles describes to us how a wave of violence swept the
early Church in the form of persecution. What we have on the lips of
Jesus actually came into effect. People were dragged into prison, there
was division among family and friends, people were led before the powers
at hand to testify to their faith in the Lord. And yet Jesus promises
that He will see them through. Stephen testifies to this presence of
Jesus as he gazes into heaven. Stephen is confirmed in his faith — the
Risen Jesus’ presence encourages him to stand firm and not be led into
temptation.
Stephen
was a man of the Spirit, a servant of the Church, and proud to be a
follower of Christ. We are reminded that in life there is always joy and
trials. We must experience the trials and sufferings so as to celebrate
the joys and hopes. Stephen reminds us that there will be times when
our faith is tested but we can remain firm in the Lord because He is
with us. This is the meaning of Christmas – Emmanuel – God with us. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you a witness to the faith? Do you experience the voice of the Father speaking through you? What is He saying to you now?
Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. Into Your hands I commend my spirit. Amen.
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