Monday 26 December 2011

Background

Today is the feast of St Stephen. Stephen is known as the firstmartyr for Christ - the first person to lose his life through beingfaithful to Jesus. He was a man 'full of grace and power' who did'great wonders and signs among the people' (Acts6:8). He was accused of blasphemy and brought before theauthorities to explain himself.

A rather lengthy speech follows, summarising the history of Israeland culminating in a clear denunciation of those in his audience.Enraged, the members of the council seized him, dragged him out ofthe city and stoned him to death. Displaying extraordinary graceand courage, reminiscent in some ways of Christ himself, Stephenmakes the ultimate sacrifice for his faith.

Following Jesus is unlikely to require of us quite such heroicbehaviour, though certainly there are those in parts of the worldtoday who are being persecuted and even killed for their beliefs.Maybe for us the pertinent question is when and how we should speakunpalatable truths. The Church and individuals within it have acalling to be 'prophetic', to 'speak truth to power' and that canbe in the most mundane of contexts or on issues of national andglobal significance.

The calling is also to 'speaking the truth in love' so the graceand wisdom of Stephen, as well as his courage, are also required.The qualities of the messenger as well as the message will benoted, as is suggested by the fact that Stephen's death waswitnessed and approved by Saul, who subsequently became Paul, thegreat Christian missionary.

To Ponder

Where in the world are people being persecutedfor their faith? What situation could you identify and becomefamiliar with, and about which you could pray?

What issues of national or global significance doyou think the Church should be speaking out about? What issue couldyou be better informed so as to be able to contribute to thedebate?

How are you at 'speaking the truth in love' inthose local, mundane or even domestic contexts?