Homily: December 26,2022, Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr.

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From the first reading, we heard Stephen declare, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But his persecutors ‘cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.’

If we could visualize the scene, we would imagine Stephen looking radiant with joy as he anticipated his death, while his persecutors looking tormented and fearful as they prepared to kill.

We know why Stephen was joyful as he looked up to heaven, because he could see where his future would be.

We also know why his persecutors were afraid as they closed their ears to Stephen’s words, because they did not want to hear the truth. It tormented their conscience and pierced through the darkness in their hearts.

I am sure we ourselves may have experienced the same, when our wrong doings were being highlighted, when our shame were being revealed or when our hurts were being exposed, we might also cry out, “stop! I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to know it! I don’t want to recall it!”

It is a rejection of the truth, denial of sin and refusal to change. The Israelites were very stubborn, yet they fear.

There are still so many people in today’s world who intentionally cover their ears to the teachings of Christ, to the truth of life. They prefer to pretend not to know, not to believe, not to change.

Thousands of churches and communities are still proclaiming the Word of God. Jesus continues to perform signs and wonders even in this scientifically advanced society. But hearts are hardened, ears are deaf, eyes are blind.

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” 

While we lament others, let ourselves not be deaf or blind in our pridefulness too, let us be listen to God’s Word intently and whenever our wrongs are illuminated, our shame revealed or our hurts exposed through scripture, do not reject, deny nor refuse. It will only bring more fear and torment.

Let us open our hearts to listen, receive and repent. Our eyes will then see what Stephen saw, and we will be radiant with joy too, despite our difficulties and challenges in this world, because we can see where our eternal future will be. God is with us. Amen.


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