December 26, 2008

St. Stephen, first martyr

CNS / Saints for Today

Stephen, a Greek-speaking Jew, was among the first seven deacons chosen to help widows whose needs were being neglected in Jerusalem's Hellenist community. His story appears in Act 6-7. His "working great wonders and signs among the people" and his preaching antagonized Jewish leaders who brought his before the Sanhedrin. In a long speech, he summarizes Israel's history and called his listeners "stiff-necked people...just like your ancestors." Saul, later the apostle Paul, witnessed Stephen's martyrdom by stoning.

Read

Daily Readings from the New American Bible (NAB)

Pray

First Antiphon for Morning Prayer on the Feast of Saint Stephen:
"Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father."

As Saint Stephen died for Christ,
so may we live for him whose cross brings us life eternal!

Reflect

On this first day in the Octave of Christmas, Catholics go from celebrating the birth of Christ to reflecting on the nature of martyrdom. Read about martyrdom (paragraph 2473) and reflect on the sacrifices saints and martyrs have made in bearing witness to their faith.

View the Daily Reflections on today's readings brought to you by the Catholic Communication Campaign

Act

In the spirit of Saint Wenceslaus memorialized in the traditional carol “Good King Wenceslaus,” do something for a person in need today in honor of St. Stephen.