The 6th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles chronicles the selection, ordination, and acts of the first deacons of the Church. Stephen was among these seven. He was described as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit”, and “full of grace and fortitude”. Some rose up and argued against him as he preached the Gospel, but they were powerless against his powerful preaching. So they brought out false witnesses and charges against him to enrage the crowd. Among the angry mob was Saul, who would later become St. Paul. The mob dragged Stephen outside the city and stoned him to death.
CHALLENGE
The last words of St. Stephen were, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When we proclaim the Gospel, sometimes words can be thrown like rocks. What was the last heated conversation on faith you had with someone? If hurtful words were thrown at you, pray like St. Stephen did for God to forgive them. If you were the one doing the throwing, seek their forgiveness, and then God’s forgiveness in the Confessional.
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