Saint Stephen, The First Martyr – Feast 

Acts 6:8-10,​7:54-59
Psalm 30(31):3-4,6,8,16-17
Matthew 10:17-22

They could not get the better of Stephen because the spirit it God was with him and prompted what he said.

Stephen, a deacon, exemplified that his ministry extended beyond merely distributing sustenance; it encompassed an active proclamation of the gospel. His teachings on Christ were incredibly impactful, to the extent that his adversaries struggled to counter his arguments, bolstered as he was by grace and the Holy Spirit. Stephen articulated that acceptance of Jesus constituted a net gain for humanity. In Christ, all that is truly valuable becomes accessible, while the only loss is the relinquishment of our sinfulness upon deciding to follow Him.

God’s grace, recognized as both a profound and gratuitous gift, underscores the fundamental reality that none are inherently deserving of it. Stephen was notably illuminated by this grace, which is vividly described by Luke: “All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15).

However, despite the Sanhedrin’s attentive observations of his radiant countenance, their biases and animosity towards this emerging sect obscured their ability to recognize the truth he represented.

Stephen, a prominent figure in the early Christian church, was stoned to death due to his outspoken defense of the faith. Appointed as one of the seven deacons by the apostles, he played a crucial role in the equitable distribution of resources among believers.

However, his rapid rise in influence was met with scrutiny from the Jewish religious authorities. Engaging in signs and wonders, Stephen attracted attention, particularly from leaders within the synagogues, who confronted him and ultimately incited false accusations of heresy against him.

During his trial before the high priest, Stephen delivered a profound and comprehensive retelling of Old Testament narratives, articulating the continuity of God’s revelation throughout Israel’s history. His defense did not constitute blasphemy; rather, it reflected a careful exegesis of scripture, affirming his position within the tradition.

However, his final indictment was direct and unequivocal: He condemned his listeners as “stiff-necked people,” accusing them of obstinacy against the Holy Spirit, paralleling their actions with those of their forebears who persecuted the prophets. He referenced their complicity in the murder of the Righteous One and their failure to uphold the Law, which had been delivered to them by angelic intermediaries (Acts 7:51). This bold proclamation ultimately sealed his fate, leading to his martyrdom.

It was only after hearing these words that the people became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. In his torment, he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right side, and he declared this triumphantly to the people. But instead of listening, instead of looking up to see what he could see, they covered their ears and with a loud shout rushed forward to grab him and take him out of the city.

They began to stone him, and stoning was the punishment for blasphemy (Deut.24:16). While they stoned him, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And with his final breath, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died. Saul was the witness. Deut. 17:7 states that “The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people”. That is what was needed by Law to stone a person.

The words of Stephen before his death show that Christ lives in him and he is Christ-like. He asked for forgiveness and he rested his spirit in the hands of God. Today’s responsorial psalm summarizes the words and actions of Jesus and Stephen before they died. It is a psalm of surrendering our lives to God. From that very day, the intercessory role of the saints after death will soon be established. He became the first martyr.

Stephen confronted malevolence and mortality with a definitive triumph, deriving strength from his relationship with Christ. Rather than reciprocating hostility, he engaged with the adversities through the lenses of truth, forgiveness, and divine grace. His steadfastness serves as a paradigm for Christian conduct. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:1, instructs believers to “Be imitators of me, as I imitate Christ,” illustrating the continuity of faith exemplified by Stephen.

On the day of Stephen’s martyrdom, his unwavering commitment to his beliefs catalyzed the spiritual awakening of Saul (later Paul) as noted in Acts 8:1a. St. Augustine poignantly remarked, “The church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen,” highlighting the transformative lineage from Stephen to Paul, which had an extensive impact on the broader world.

This legacy prompts a reflective inquiry: what will emerge from our actions and dedication to God’s mission? We are called to maintain our faith and trust in Christ, who assures us in the current scripture that He is the bread of life; those who approach Him will find their hunger quenched and their thirst satisfied. As we contemplate this truth, may our spirit yearns for the tranquility that comes from being closer to God.

Fr Joseph Osho