Kulandai Albert csc –
Readings: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-5; Mt 10:17-22
Today, the church celebrates the feast of St. Stephen, the martyr. He is the first martyr of the church. As we celebrate his feast day, the liturgy of the word invites us to bear witness to Christ. We are called to bear witness to Christ in our daily life.
In the first reading, we read about St. Stephen, who bore witness to Christ. He was full of grace and power. The spirit of the Lord was with him. In the gospel reading, Jesus gives us an invitation to bear witness to him. He confirms that the spirit of the Father will work through us, when we stand and bear witness to him.
Full of the Holy Spirit, St. Stephen did great wonders and signs among the people. He did not fear people and faced challenges against his mission boldly. Like St. Stephen we are invited to bear witness to Christ. We witness Christ when we talk about our experience with him to others. We witness Christ when we live in happiness and show our faith in him. We become witnesses of Christ when we manifest his values attitudes in our daily life.
Therefore, dear friends, let us give ourselves to the influence of the Spirit and become living martyrs for the Lord and his church.