Today is the Feast of St Stephen, one of the first Christian martyrs. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early church at Jerusalem and was a gifted evangelist, preaching in his community. He wasn’t afraid to speak out against the injustices of the day. Eventually, following one of his speeches, he was arrested, charged with blasphemy and stoned to death.
It’s been interesting this Christmas that most of the prominent church leaders have spoken out against isolationism and treating others badly. Mary and Joseph were refugees in the latter bits of the story. I like what Pope Leo said yesterday:
Have we become too quiet or private and scared to be political and speak out? Saint Stephen teaches us to be bold in putting what we believe into the discussion and to expect that we might be got at as our message is counter cultural and threatening to those who would use power to get they want. The amazing thing about Stephen as he faced death was that he forgave - just like the Jesus he followed. So today we remember him and all those who speak out and those who have lost their life fit the sake of the Gospel.
I will speak out for those who have
no voices ; I will stand up for the rights
of all the oppressed ;
I will speak truth and justice ;
I’ll defend the poor and the needy ;
I will lift up the weak in Jesus’ name.
I will speak out for those who have
no choices ; I will cry out for those who
live without love ;
I will show God’s compassion
to the crushed and broken in spirit ;
I will lift up the weak in Jesus’ name.
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