There is nothing comparable to the soft light of a candle glowing in a dark room or chapel. It is so soothing, with its glow, neither too bright nor too dim. It adds a golden touch to the darkness it chases away.
When we look at the martyrdom of the deacon Stephen. the first to fulfill the prediction of Jesus that his followers would be let to courts, governors and kings, being hated because of the allegiance to his name, we see the glow of the candle in the darkness of this world. Yes, so soon after celebrating the night when the heavens were aglow with the heavenly host, darkness creeps in, but one that cannot overshadow the light. "A light shines in the darkness,/ a darkness that did not overcome it." (Jn 1:5). There's no cause for shock or dismay that the day after our Christmas festivities, we celebrate the death of the first martyr, who shows us in depth how we find light: by witnessing, by commitment to the adult, mature, full-grown Christ.
May Stephen help each one of us be a candle to illumine and soothe our darkened world.
Bro. Rene
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