Today is the Second Day of Christmas
Eucharistic Readings for St. Stephens
Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15; Psalm 31; Acts 6:8-7:2a,51c-60; Matthew 23:34-39:
“Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.” (Acts 7:60)
As a retired priest, but still considered a servant of our Lord Jesus, I am not in total agreement with how our first deacons were formed. As I understand it deacons were formed in order to excuse priests from the responsibility of feeding those who were hungry, (Acts 6), which is in contrast with what Jesus did at every opportunity he could. In fact he said to the apostles, “You feed them,” (Matthew 14:16). However, more than that, and in keeping with today’s focus, Deacon Stephen’s devotion to God through the examples of Jesus is most remarkable.
Stephen knows his faith history and relates it to those who falsely judge him. He has every right to be angry about how they are treating him, however, he lets love prevail. Psalm 31:13 – 16 may hold comforting words for Stephen and for all of us who are held in contempt. For it reads:
13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd; fear is all around; they put their heads together against me; they plot to take my life.
14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. I have said, “You are my God.
15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, and in your loving-kindness save me.” (Psalm 31:13 -16)
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom.
What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. Merry Christmas: John
Let us pray: (BCP p. 237)
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
onewhoponders 