The Holy Gospel according to Matthew (10:17-22).
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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: On the day after Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen, the 1st Christian martyr. In Acts 6, he was one of the 7 reputable men selected as deacons by the 12 Apostles to serve at table. The Bible records that Stephen “full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.” St. Stephen debated members of the Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians and Alexandrians. He was accused of blasphemy and eventually stoned to death. As he was being stoned to death, St. Stephen called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He also forgave those who were stoning him, saying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Like the divine Master, he died forgiving and praying for his executioners. St. Stephen is the patron saint of deacons, altar servers and stone masons.
Today’s Gospel is fitting for today’s feast day because it speaks to Jesus’ disciples, and to us, that being a disciple will not be easy. Jesus warns them of rejection, persecution and betrayal by those close to them.
This Gospel reminds us that faith is not merely private matter. Belonging to Christ is to stand for and with Him, even when it costs us something. In a world that often goes against the Gospel, endurance becomes a form of witness. Endurance, perseverance, is about being faithful and trusting in God even when we face hardships. Jesus tells us the one who endures to the end will be saved.
As Catholic Christians, we may not face physical persecution, but we will face ridicule, indifference or pressure to compromise our faith. This Gospel calls us to remain rooted in Christ.
Action for the Day: Pray for the grace to follow the example of St. Stephen, to trust in Holy Spirit, to remain faithful in trials, and to endure with hope, knowing that our loyalty to Christ leads to eternal life. St. Stephen, pray for us!
Audio Reflection:
