Hated by All

What? So startling a contrast to the Good News of the Birth of the Savior just yesterday! The Martyrdom of St. Stephen, purposefully celebrated today, is a stark reminder that Christ came not to remain a helpless child, but to become a man who would suffer opposition, misunderstanding, hatred and death in order to fulfill his mission. So too are we reminded by the stoning of St. Stephen that followers of Jesus must follow the same road, and if not to actual physical martyrdom, then at least to the martyrdom of exclusion, unpopularity and hatred. Christians cannot FIT into the values of the world, for the teachings and values left to us by Jesus are opposed to them. He foretold that we would be called to task, called to defend faith and way of life, and hated for our values and beliefs. St. Stephen's blood and the blood of martyrs through the centuries attest to this. Jesus also promised that he would be with us through his Spirit, who would give us what we need to stand firm in our convictions. (cf. Jn. 15: 18-16:15). Today in the "recovery period" after Christmas...perhaps further family visiting, bargain hunting at post Christmas sales, or just total collapse...the example of St. Stephen and the promise of Jesus keep the mystery of Christmas, the Incarnation, balanced, providing us with further cause for deep joy, for Emmanuel, God is with us through all of this. Let us not miss the point as we scurry through this day.
Bro. Rene