The Stoning of Stephen
Kölner Dom, 19th century

Greetings, my dear friends. Today, I would like to reflect upon the story of the martyrdom of Stephen as recorded in Acts 6:8-7:60, only the latter portion of which is included in this Sunday's Lectionary. This story has been a source of inspiration for many throughout the centuries, and it continues to inspire us today.

In this story, we see Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, standing before the high priest and the Sanhedrin. Stephen was accused of speaking against the temple and the law of Moses, and he was put on trial. However, Stephen did not back down. Instead, he boldly spoke the truth and shared the message of salvation.

Stephen's message was not well received by the religious leaders. They became enraged and began to gnash their teeth at him. However, Stephen remained calm and full of the Holy Spirit. He saw a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he boldly declared that he saw the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

This declaration was too much for the religious leaders to bear, and they rushed at Stephen and stoned him to death. As he was dying, Stephen prayed for his persecutors, asking God to forgive them.

My dear friends, the story of Stephen's martyrdom is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of persecution and opposition. Stephen's unwavering faith and courage in the face of death is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit to give us strength in our time of need.

Furthermore, Stephen's prayer for his persecutors is a lesson in forgiveness and compassion. Rather than seeking revenge, Stephen asked God to forgive those who were killing him. This is a powerful example of how we should respond to those who mistreat us.

As we reflect on the story of Stephen's martyrdom, let us be inspired by his faith and courage. Let us be reminded of the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult. And let us learn from Stephen's example of forgiveness and compassion, so that we too may be agents of peace and love in the world.

May we all be blessed with the strength, courage, and compassion of Stephen as we navigate the challenges of life. Thank you.