St. Stephen
Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Psalm 31; Matthew 10:17-22
As we commemorate the feast of St. Stephen, the protomartyr of our faith, we are solemnly reminded that discipleship comes at a price. Our Lord Jesus Christ forewarned us of the opposition we would face, and St. Stephen’s unwavering testimony is a shining exemplar of this truth.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, St. Stephen stood firm in his faith, even in the face of mortal peril. This, beloved, is the hallmark of authentic discipleship. We are not merely passive recipients of God’s grace; we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness boldly to the Gospel.
As our Lord Jesus Christ declared, “It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you” (Matthew 10:20). This divine empowerment is our guarantee of victory in the face of adversity.
Therefore, beloved, I urge you: do not waver in your commitment to Christ when opposition arises. Rather, stand firm, grounded in the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember that martyrdom, in all its forms, is the highest expression of witnessing to Christ.
Let us pray:
Grant, O Lord, that we may imitate the example of St. Stephen. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may persevere in trials and emerge triumphant in faith. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
