The Octave of Christmas - FEAST OF SAINT STEPHEN - FIRST MARTYR - Gospel (Mt 10:17-22) THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.” (Mt 10:22)

FIRST READING - Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

Stephen, filled with grace and power,

was working great wonders and signs among the people.

Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,

Cyrenians, and Alexandrians,

and people from Cilicia and Asia,

came forward and debated with Stephen,

but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.

When they heard this, they were infuriated,

and they ground their teeth at him.

But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,

looked up intently to heaven

and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,

and he said,

"Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man

standing at the right hand of God."

But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears,

and rushed upon him together.

They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.

The witnesses laid down their cloaks

at the feet of a young man named Saul.

As they were stoning Stephen, he called out

"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 10:17-22

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts

and scourge you in their synagogues,

and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake

as a witness before them and the pagans.

When they hand you over,

do not worry about how you are to speak

or what you are to say.

You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

For it will not be you who speak

but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Brother will hand over brother to death,

and the father his child;

children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name,

but whoever endures to the end will be saved."

The Octave of Christmas - FEAST OF SAINT STEPHEN - FIRST MARTYR - Gospel (Mt 10:17-22)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

 Dear People of God,

In today's Word of God, God wants to tell all humanity that when anyone follows the path of Jesus Christ, they will have to go through difficulties, trials, hardships, and sufferings.

Especially for the disciples, when following the Holy Master Jesus, He taught them to understand that "because of My name, you will be hated by everyone, but whoever perseveres to the end will be saved.

The Word of God reminds all disciples that following Jesus on this worldly path will certainly result in persecution and condemnation, since the Son of God, out of love for humanity, came to earth and endured difficulties, persecution, condemnation, suffering, and death while here on earth.

God wants to teach the apostles this knowledge in advance, to awaken them when they encounter difficulties and challenges; so they can stand firm against the temptations of Satan.

Humanity today falls into many of Satan's traps. God calls on His apostles to be courageous and joyful in testifying to God's love that is present in this world.

It is God's love that will dispel darkness and sins; will overthrow Satan's traps and schemes; and with loyalty and fidelity in following Jesus Christ, the apostles will overcome challenges and difficulties.

In addition, God taught them not to worry, not to be afraid, and not to retreat when faced with persecution, being brought before the council, being questioned, or being condemned.

Because in that moment, the spirit of the Holy Spirit will protect, preserve, shield, and guide them so they know what to say to please God and what to say to make Satan submit.

Through Jesus Christ's experience and teachings to the apostles in the past, He also calls on all of His followers to listen to the Word of God and look up to the image of a loving Jesus who died on the cross, so that from there, we can faithfully and loyally follow the path of the cross of Jesus Christ. We must go through the cross and undergo suffering to reach glory.

In today's world, God wants humanity to look up to the image of the first martyr, Stephen, and follow his virtues of charity, altruism, and love that conquers death.

He was faithful and loyal to God, and completely trusted in God's love, knowing that God would save his soul as he courageously bore witness to God in this world.

God calls apostles of all eras to entrust their souls to Him for guidance and care. He also calls them to be willing to forgive those who harm them, allowing love to triumph over death, hatred, jealousy, and selfishness.

We are called to live a life of love, charity, and altruism, in the same way that the Son of God demonstrated love through his death upon the cross.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

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