In the first reading for mass today, from the Acts of the Apostles, Stephen spoke up clearly and in no uncertain terms to the elders, scribes and the people who were gathered before him. He didn’t mince his words:
“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the Holy Spirit; you are just like your ancestors. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They put to death those who foretold the coming of the righteous one, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become.”
Stephen certainly told it like it is. He told the whole group exactly what he thought of them, whether they got upset about it or not.
Do you have a tendency to speak your mind, like Stephen? Or do you usually refrain from saying anything that is contrary to the opinion of those around you, because you don’t want to stir up trouble, or make matters worse? There are many Christians who feel that peace and unity must be sought at all costs, even to the point of accepting evil rather than speaking up against it. Sometimes Christians avoid negativity at all costs, because they believe those who are involved in negativity, disagreements and hard feelings are not good Christians. Today’s first reading for mass proves otherwise. Saint Stephen was the first martyr because he spoke up against the evil that the Jewish people had done to the prophets and to Jesus.
It wasn’t just what he said about them, that made the crowd angry though, it was the fact that Stephen said “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” That was the last straw for them They covered their ears, rushed in on Stephen and took him by force, then they threw him out of the city and stoned him to death.
Stephen’s spirit was centered entirely in the Lord Jesus, because only a saint could say “Lord, do not hold this sin against them,” when he was being killed. Saint Stephen did not think of his own life while he was being murdered, only the good of the souls of those who killed him. This is worth stopping to think about. His example could apply to our own lives in countless ways. Are we concerned about another person’s soul, who has harmed us? Do we pray for them? This goes against our natural instincts, doesn’t it? And yet, this is what we are called to do. Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
In the gospel today Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
Jesus was the center of Saint Stephen’s life and he loved him more than life itself. The Eucharist we receive at Mass each week is the center of our lives too though. We receive the source of love itself into the center of our being each week when we receive Jesus in communion.
Why do some people think that the Catholic Mass is boring? Many fallen away Catholics say that the Mass is boring. They “didn’t get anything out of it”. They weren’t “being fed” so they leave and seek a more lively Protestant church. What they don’t realize is that you have to be “fed” before you ever arrive at mass. There is no quick fix, or a substitute, for a regular prayer life. A deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ takes a lot of time in prayer, receiving the Eucharist regularly at Mass, going to confession on a regular basis, reading the scriptures, and our acts of love and service to others.
We go to mass to worship God. We give Him thanks and praise. We do not go to Mass to “get something”, but to give something. We go to Mass to show our love for God, and for Jesus Christ, by our prayers and praise, by the hymns we sing, and just by showing up to show our respects to the Lord.
Worshiping God and receiving Jesus Christ in Holy Communion each week is the source and summit of our lives. The spiritual life is never boring, when you see the world with the eyes of your heart, the way Saint Stephen did. The mass will come alive and live in a deeper, richer way if we take the time to develop a regular prayer life. Jesus feeds us in countless ways, the more time we spend with him in prayer.
Saint Stephen told the people they had “uncircumcised hearts”. We all have a little bit of selfishness that encases our own hearts and separates us from a more intimate, loving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Maybe we could set aside a little extra time for prayer today, and think about how we might be able to make a small change in our daily routine to spend more time with Jesus. If there is an adoration chapel nearby, or a church that is open today to pray in front of the tabernacle, that would be an excellent place to start.
Daily Mass Readings:
Acts 7: 51-8:1a/ Psalm 31: 3cd-4, 6, 7b, 8a, 17, 21ab / John 6: 30-35
