20201226 WHAT GIFT SHALL I BRING FOR THE INFANT KING
26 December, 2020, Saturday, St Stephen, Protomartyr
Readings at Mass
Liturgical Colour: Red.
First reading |
Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59 © |
The martyrdom of Stephen
Stephen was filled with grace and power and began to work miracles and great signs among the people. But then certain people came forward to debate with Stephen, some from Cyrene and Alexandria who were members of the synagogue called the Synagogue of Freedmen, and others from Cilicia and Asia. They found they could not get the better of him because of his wisdom, and because it was the Spirit that prompted what he said. They were infuriated when they heard this, and ground their teeth at him.
But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. ‘I can see heaven thrown open’ he said ‘and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’ At this all the members of the council shouted out and stopped their ears with their hands; then they all rushed at him, sent him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses put down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul. As they were stoning him, Stephen said in invocation, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 30(31):3-4,6,8,16-17 © |
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mighty stronghold to save me,
for you are my rock, my stronghold.
For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
It is you who will redeem me, Lord.
As for me, I trust in the Lord:
let me be glad and rejoice in your love.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
My life is in your hands, deliver me
from the hands of those who hate me.
Let your face shine on your servant.
Save me in your love.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Gospel Acclamation | Ps117:26,27 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord:
the Lord God is our light.
Alleluia!
Gospel |
Matthew 10:17-22 © |
The Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.
‘Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.’
WHAT GIFT SHALL I BRING FOR THE INFANT KING
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [Acts 6:8-10,7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22 ]
Yesterday, we celebrated the birth of our Lord. What gift should we bring to lay before this King of kings? To answer this question, we must consider the gift of God to us at Christmas. In giving us His Son, the Father has given to us what is most precious and close to Him, His being. Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Eternal Father. God the Father did not keep His Son for Himself but as John says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (Jn 3:16)
But it is not only the Father who gave His Son, Jesus as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity freely emptied Himself of His divinity to assume our humanity. He gave up His glory and majesty to assume our human lowliness. He came to share in our suffering and our temptations so that He could lead us to overcome them. He revealed to us the graciousness, compassion and mercy of God not just in His teachings but also in His miracles of healing and exorcism, and His assurance of God’s forgiveness even to those marginalized by society. Most of all, Jesus gave up His life for our salvation through His passion, death and resurrection.
Indeed, when we celebrate the Feast of St Stephen, some Catholics wonder why the Church puts the martyrdom of St Stephen immediately after Christmas. This feast seems to be out of place as it takes away the joy and peace of Christmas which we have just celebrated. The message the Church wants to put across is that we must not reduce Christmas to a sentimental feast of the birth of an innocent, vulnerable and lovely baby. This baby is destined for death so that he might give life to all. Indeed, even within the Octave of Christmas, the gospel mentions the prophecy of Simeon when he gave a veiled announcement of the suffering ahead of the baby. He said to Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Lk 2:34f) Right from the start, he was already persecuted by King Herod, which was just a foreshadowing of greater challenges to come. (Mt 2:16)
In the light of the gift of a life that was destined for death so that Jesus truly is our Saviour, what gift would be worthy enough for such a king? St Paul wrote “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.” (2 Cor 5:14f) Our lives for His life! This is the gift that is expected from us which St Stephen offered. He gave Jesus the ultimate gift of himself in bearing witness to our Lord even in the face of persecution. He was not afraid to testify to the Lord and suffer the same persecution and a similar innocent death brought about by his enemies. St Stephen held nothing back from the Lord but gave all he had for His service even in the face of opposition by speaking the truth without fear or favour.
We, too, are called to do the same by being a witness which is what Martyr means. St Stephen is called the protomartyr because he is considered the first witness to Christ. A witness is first and foremost a disciple. St Stephen walked the footsteps of our Lord so closely, filled with His Spirit and worked miracles and signs among his people, and then followed Jesus in death not just by reenacting the trial of Jesus before His persecutors but also in forgiving His enemies and commending his life to the Lord. Stephen said in invocation, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Lord, do not hold this sin against them”.
Today, as Christians we continue to be persecuted by the world since the beginning of Christianity. In some countries there are hostile persecutions against those who believe in Christ both by the State and also by people of other faiths. Catholics have been accused of disloyalty to the State, which is nothing new because the Romans persecuted the Christians in the first 350 years using the political reason that Christians were traitors to the country. Many have been imprisoned for their beliefs in Christ. Besides the State, Christians too have been persecuted by people of other faiths, especially when they are in the minority. They suffered much discrimination in society, in looking for jobs and in business. So whilst some countries claim that there is freedom of religion, it does not mean at the same time, freedom of worship.
But in today’s world, there is a much more devious form of persecution which is subtle and indirect. It is an attempt to impose a secular, humanistic and worldly culture on the rest of the world. In the name of freedom, human rights, justice and advancement, the world seeks to discriminate by silencing those who speak about their faith in public or advocate gospel values such as the dignity of life from conception to death, or the promotion of marriage between a man and a woman and family life. So much so that people, not just of the Christian Faith, are diffident or embarrassed to speak of their faith in public or to practice the values of their faith. And what is even worse is that such discrimination is carried out by the powerful people in the world, whether in politics or in business.
Indeed, Jesus warned His apostles, “Beware of men: they will hand you over to Sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name.” This is why to be a Christian is to be a witness. It is not just about going to church, to pray, or even to read the Bible but it means Christian discipleship, bearing witness to Christ in our lives, in our words and deeds. Wherever we are, at home or in the office or in public service, we must be ready to stand up for Jesus even when we suffer disadvantages from doing so. Jesus warns us, “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.” (Mt 10:32f)
This is not to say that being a Christian means that we are trouble makers or disloyal to the State. On the contrary, St Peter advises us, “For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Pt 2:13-17) Every good Christian must support the common good of the country. But a Christian has a duty to protect the common good by speaking the truth especially when values are not good for the people.
That said, it will not be easy. But the Lord assured us of His protection and divine assistance. “When they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say; what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes; because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you. The man who stands firm to the end will be saved.” It does not mean that we do not have to prepare our defence. St Peter said, “Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.” (1 Pt :14-16) Let us commend our spirit to Him!
Written by The Most Rev William Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment