Every December 26, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Stephen, remembering the first maximumrpull Christian. His story, though brief, is an impressive testimony of faith, courage, and love for the Gospel. Do you know his origins and how he came to be one of the Church's most emblematic models of holiness?
Saint Esteban He was one of the first seven deacons chosen by the apostles to assist in serving the Christian community in Jerusalem. Its main mission was to care for widows and the poorest members of society, ensuring that no one was left destitute.
The Book of Acts of the Apostles tells us that Esteban was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5). He was also known for his wisdom and for the signs and miracles he performed among the people, which attracted both admirers and detractors.
Stephen's preaching caused controversy among some religious leaders of his time. He was falsely accused of blasphemy against Moses and against God, and brought before the Sanhedrin, the supreme council of the Jews.
During his defense, he delivered a powerful and courageous speech in which he reviewed the history of Israel and denounced the people's resistance to accepting God's will. This speech enraged his accusers, who took him outside the city and stoned him to death.
As he became the first martyr, Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed: «Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.» and, with a heart full of forgiveness, he said: «Lord, do not hold this sin against them.» (Acts 7:59-60). His death is a reflection of Christ's love and mercy on the cross.
"Esteban, full of grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people» (Acts 6:8). The number of those who believed in the doctrine of Jesus Christ was growing. However, many—either because they did not know Christ or because they knew him poorly—did not consider Jesus to be the Savior.
«They began to argue with Stephen, but they could not withstand his wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. So they incited some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God”» (Acts 6:9-11).
Saint Stephen He was the first martyr of Christianity. He died filled with Holy Spirit, praying for those who stoned him. «Yesterday, Christ He was wrapped in swaddling clothes by us; today, He covers Stephen with the garment of immortality. Yesterday, the narrowness of a manger held the infant Christ; today, the immensity of heaven has received Stephen triumphant. The Lord descended to lift up many; our King humbled Himself to exalt His soldiers.
We too have received the exciting mission of spreading the message of Jesus Christ with our words and above all with our lives, showing the joy of the Gospel. Perhaps St. Paul, who was present at that event, would be moved by Stephen's testimony and, once he became a Christian, would draw strength from it for his own mission.
«Goodness always tends to communicate itself. Every authentic experience of truth and beauty seeks by its very nature to spread, and anyone who experiences profound liberation becomes more sensitive to the needs of others (...). Let us rediscover and increase our fervor, the sweet and comforting joy of evangelizing, even when we must sow amid tears. And may today's world—which is searching, sometimes with anguish, sometimes with hope—be able to receive the Good News, not through evangelists sad and discouraged, impatient or anxious, but through (...) those who have received, above all in themselves, the joy of Christ» (apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium by Pope Francis, 2013).
Saint Stephen teaches us the importance of defending our faith with courage and humility, but also with love and forgiveness toward those who persecute us. His example invites us to trust fully in God, even in the most difficult moments.
It also reminds us of the value of service. As deacon, He dedicated his life to helping those most in need, living out the commandment to love one's neighbor in a concrete way.
Saint Stephen He is considered the patron saint of deacons and those who suffer. persecution for his faith. His testimony has inspired generations of Christians throughout history.
In the liturgy, his feast day on December 26 invites us to reflect on the meaning of martyrdom as total surrender to Christ.
In a world that often rejects the values of the Gospel, Saint Stephen encourages us to live our faith with authenticity and courage.
The testimony of the first martyr, Saint Stephen, remains relevant today. How can we be witnesses to Christ in our daily lives? We may not face physical persecution, but we may encounter challenges as we try to live our faith consistently in a world that is often indifferent or critical.
The Gospel of his feast day reflects the faithfulness of Jesus' first disciple, who bore witness to him before men. Faithfulness means likeness, identification with the Master. Like Jesus, Stephen preached to his brothers of the same race, filled with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and performed great wonders on behalf of his people. Like Jesus, he was taken outside the city and stoned there, while he forgave his executioners and gave up his spirit to the Lord (cf. Acts of the Apostles, 6:8-10; 7:54-60).
But we can ask Jesus: how can we not worry when we feel the threat of an environment hostile to the Gospel? How can we ignore the temptation to fear Or human respect, to avoid having to resist?
Even more so when that hostility arises in one's own family environment, something that the prophet already predicted: “For the son will speak against his father, the daughter against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies will be the members of his own household” (Micah 7:6). It is true that Jesus does not give us a technique for escaping persecution unscathed. He gives us much more: the assistance of the Holy Spirit to speak and persevere in goodness, thus giving faithful witness to God's love for all humanity, including our persecutors.
On this first day of the Octave of Christmas, there is still room for joy, since what we love most, what makes us happiest, is not our own safety, but salvation for all.
Saint Stephen invites us to remember that the strength to live and defend our faith comes from the Holy Spirit. Let us trust in Him and follow His example of love, forgiveness, and service!
In the CARF Foundation, We pray for persecuted Christians around the world and work to train seminarians and diocesan priests who, like Saint Stephen, will courageously carry the message of Christ. Let us join together in prayer for them!
carf@fundacioncarf.orgLandline: +34 914 029 082Mobile: +34 638 078 51145 Conde de Peñalver Street.
