Jesus said that you will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved! What a blessing!
Jesus said that you will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved! What a blessing! Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr, he was stoned to death for proclaiming receiving the Holy Spirit of Jesus, preaching, and defending God and the Holy Kingdom of Heaven- stoned to death for his faith! All the haters were out in full force, the Pharisees, the ones who think they know all, and then all the haters and followers of hate, or just slaves for Satan. They killed poor Stephen because He defended Christ! I often feel the same way in my life. I like to talk about God's goodness, how we need to follow Jesus and imitate, forgive, and love like Him. I try to show love and interest in others, writing, calling, texting, emailing, but many do not want to be bothered. Many today ignore you, do not return messages, they hate when you talk about Jesus or church, or anything good. There is so much cancel culture and hate today, so much persecution and indifference. Yet, we are reminded that at Christmas Jesus came to being goodness and light to the world. We are called to reflect Him! But when we do, we always get persecuted or hated because of it. People do not like you talking about Jesus, goodness, or sin. They are turned off if you mention sin or something they really should not do. Thankfully, the Gospel reading reminds us that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, following Jesus, all we need to do is trust in Him, not worry about what to say, be lead by Him, He will fill us with what we need to do and say. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD: the LORD is God and has given us light! Let us follow Jesus always, never worried what others do or say or if they reject you like they did Jesus or persecute or hate you, we are covered by the precious blood of Jesus and we have nothing to be worried about! Be committed to follow Jesus to the end!
Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr
Lectionary: 696
Reading 1
Stephen, filled with grace and power,
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,
Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia,
came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.
When they heard this, they were infuriated,
and they ground their teeth at him.
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,
and he said,
"Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man
standing at the right hand of God."
But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,
and rushed upon him together.
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.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
Responsorial Psalm
R. (6) Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety.
You are my rock and my fortress;
for your name's sake you will lead and guide me.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD:
the LORD is God and has given us light.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
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.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved."
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