The Divine Power in Human Testimony!

Feast of St. Stephen, First Martyr

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59; Mt 10:17-22

The feast of St. Stephen highlights the Divine Power at work in those who suffer for the sake of God. 

The first reading throws light on the Divine wisdom and spirit at work in Stephen.

When his enemies cannot defeat him in debate, they resort to violence to silence him. 

Stephen’s martyrdom demonstrates the clear difference between God’s people and His haters. 

When his enemies are fueled by hatred for him, Stephen radiates grace. 

After all, one can only give out what one has!

There is something more insightful about Stephen’s testimony moments before his death. 

It is the reaction of Stephen’s enemies to his testimony. 

The Bible reads, ‘They cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.’

They ‘cried out’ loudly to overcome the deafening power of Stephen’s testimony. They ‘covered’ their ears, lest they were afraid it would change them. They ‘rushed upon’ him together so that they would not have to put up with his powerful testimony anymore. 

Eliminating Stephen was so urgently felt by his haters because of the way he bore God in him. 

Such is the power that Jesus alludes to in the Gospel when we are persecuted for the sake of God.  

Jesus assures us that the defense will not be from us but from God, whom they will find hard to overpower, as happens in the example of Stephen. 

Because Stephen was radiating the Divine in his life and words, it was hard for them to conquer him. 

And there is something more in Stephen’s martyrdom. 

Can we ever think that Saul (who became Paul), who was an accomplice to the murder of Stephen, was not silently witnessing the Divine Power in action in him, only to feel the same later in his life!?

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar