Today is Dec. 26, the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr.
We hear in the readings for today’s Mass, “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” (Mt 10:19-20).
Today, I am here with my Dominican brothers at the Basilica of St. Stephen in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. It is no coincidence that his feast falls just after Christmas, as the light of Christ’s birth and the witness of Stephen’s sacrifice are profoundly connected.
It is here, in Jerusalem, that Stephen bore witness to Christ’s life and teachings, to the profound love of God revealed in the Incarnation. Chosen by the apostles to assist their ministry as a deacon, he was a generous servant of the poor. His charity, distributing food and other aid to those in need, represents well the charity of the Christmas season.
In fact, the whole of Stephen’s life was rooted in the mystery of Christmas — the Word made flesh, who came to dwell among us (Jn 1:14). He bore witness to the truth that the child born in Bethlehem is the Savior of the world. And for this testimony, Stephen laid down his life, becoming a radiant example of the cost and the glory of following Christ.
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them”
St. Stephen’s martyrdom is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, where we read how he stood before the Sanhedrin, proclaiming boldly the truth of the Gospel. Even as he faced death, Stephen’s heart was filled with the peace and hope of Christ. His final words echo the forgiveness of the Savior: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).
St. Stephen teaches us that the joy of Christmas is not confined to the manger but extends to the whole of our lives. St. Stephen’s life reminds us that the joy of Christmas — the birth of our Savior — carries with it the call to follow Him, no matter the cost. His feast day is an opportunity to renew our commitment to Christ as disciples. Each of us should ask, how are we called to bring the light of Christ to those around us? How can we be bold in our faith, even in the face of challenges?
St. Stephen, the protomartyr, pray for us!
Let us pray,
Grant, Lord, we pray, that we may imitate what we worship, and so learn to love even our enemies, for we celebrate the heavenly birthday of a man who knew how to pray even for his persecutors. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
