Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord: the Lord is God and has given us light - Daily Bible Readings December 26,2013

1^ST READING

 

We do not need to focus upon the gory nature of the death of Stephen, nor do we really need to understand why he was stoned to death. It is more important that we ask ourselves why he, Stephen, was willing to die a seemingly senseless death. It is his faith in Christ that ought to be our focus. It is here that we will find inspiration for our own journeys of faith — the courage and strength to go deeper and persevere through all the challenges.

 

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

8 Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, 10 but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. 7: 54 When they heard this,  they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. 58 They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young 

man named Saul. 59 As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

 

P S A L M

 

Psalm 31:3-4, 6, 8, 16, 17

R: Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

2 [3] Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. 3 [4] You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me. (R) 5 [6] Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God. 7 [8] I will rejoice and be glad of your mercy. (R) 15 [16] Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors. 16 [17] Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness. (R)

 

GOSPEL

 

We are all called to follow Christ as His disciples and to share the Gospel with others. As we reflect upon the life of Stephen, a life cut short through hatred and misunderstanding, we recognize ourselves. If we are truthful, we have been on both sides of the fence. We have been persecuted; we have also been the persecutor. It is not for us to judge those who stoned Stephen (St. Paul was complicit in his death, or so we are told), but it is for us to ensure that we gain inspiration from his faith and willingness to die for it.

 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord: the Lord is God and has given us light.

 

Matthew 10:17-22

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. 20 For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”

 

think:  We are all called to follow Christ as His disciples and to share the Gospel with others.

 

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: __________________

 

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God’s special verse/thought for me today_

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Sirah 21-25