He was appointed to distribute alms fairly to the poor.
However, they could not match his wisdom. He angered
the Jewish religious leaders and was stoned to death.
Invitation
May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation wants to share with you the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, no one excepted,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.
Available every day
Consideration
Over the manger already hangs the shadow of rejection, the shadow of the cross. Those who follow Jesus will also experience this. The day after the birth of Jesus we remember Stephen (+ about 33-36), the very first apostle who bore witness to Him with his blood. To him fell the fate of Jesus: He was denounced, brought before the Sanhedrin and executed. Some elements mentioned at his death recall Jesus: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” echoes the “Lord into your hands I commend my spirit”. Like Jesus, Stephen will also pray on the cross for God’s forgiveness for his executioners: “Lord forgive them, for they know not what they do!” After his death, it will be Paul who will call him the first “witness” (martyros) (Acts 22:20).
FIRST READING Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-60
I see the heavens open.
From the Acts of the Apostles
In those days Stephen, full of grace and power,
performed great miraculous signs among the people.
However, some members
of the so-called synagogue of the Freedmen,
Cyrenians and Alexandrians
and some people from Cilícia and Asia
began to argue with Stephen,
but they could not stand the wisdom
and against the spirit with which he spoke.
They became furious
and they gritted their teeth against him.
But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit ,
gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God
and Jesus, standing at God’s right hand;
and he exclaimed:
“I see the heavens open
and the Son of Man standing at God’s right hand.”
But they began to shout loudly,
plugged their ears
and stormed towards him as one man.
They dragged him outside the gate and stoned him.
The witnesses laid down their cloaks
at the feet of a young man called Saul.
While they were stoning Stephen ,
he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice:
“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”
After these words, he resigned.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 31(30), 3cd-4, 6 and 8, 16 and 17
Trustingly I place my spirit in your hands, Lord.
Be to me a rock where I can flee,
a strong fortress where I can dwell in safety.
For always You are my rock and my fortress,
Thy Name is my leader and guide.
Trustingly I place my spirit in Your hands,
Thou wilt protect me, faithful God.
I may rejoice in Thy mercy,
Thou seest my misery, Thou helpest me in distress.
Deliver me from my persecutors.
Let over thy servant thy Face shine,
save me by Thy mercy.
ALLELUIA Ps. 118(117), 26a and 27a
Alleluia.
Blessed who comes with the Name of the Lord ;
the Lord is God, He enlightens us.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL Mt 10, 17-22
It is not you who speak,
but through you the Spirit of the Father speaks.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
At that time, Jesus said to the twelf:
“Take heed to the people.
They will hand you over to the courts
and scourge thee in their synagogues.
You will be brought before governors and kings
for My sake,
so as to bear witness
before them and the Gentiles.
However, when you are handed over,
do not worry about the how and what of your speaking:
At that time it will be instilled in thee what thou must say.
For it is not ye who speak,
but through thee then the Spirit of thy Father speaketh.
One brother shall deliver up the other to have him killed;
the father his child;
the children shall rise up against their parents
and have them put to death.
Thou shalt be an object of hatred to all,
for the sake of my Name.
However, he who perseveres to the end ,
he will be saved.”
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Laudato Si
Encyclic by
POPE FRANCIS
On caring for the common home
148. An admirable creativity and generosity is shown by persons and groups who respond to environmental limitations by alleviating the adverse effects of their surroundings and learning to orient their lives amid disorder and uncertainty. For example, in some places, where the façades of buildings are derelict, people show great care for the interior of their homes, or find contentment in the kindness and friendliness of others. A wholesome social life can light up a seemingly undesirable environment. At times a commendable human ecology is practised by the poor despite numerous hardships. The feeling of asphyxiation brought on by densely populated residential areas is countered if close and warm relationships develop, if communities are created, if the limitations of the environment are compensated for in the interior of each person who feels held within a network of solidarity and belonging. In this way, any place can turn from being a hell on earth into the setting for a dignified life.
To be continued
The Bible text in this publication is taken from The New Bible Translation,
©Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007.
Considerations from Liturgical suggestions for weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation
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