The day after Christmas

A day after celebrating the birth of Prince of Peace, the Church today commemorates the martyrdom of St. Stephen. It immediately establishes the connection between Bethlehem and Calvary - the stark realities of life: birth, happiness, sufferings, and death. I must say that it is also a good way of remembering Jesus' words, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword" (Matthew 10:34). A rather controversial statement coming from the Incarnation of an all-loving God. But 2000 years removed from when He said it, we should now know what it meant. And don't assume He was prophesying about many wars and atrocities that happened in the name of Jesus - that was not God, that was just arrogant humans taking up God's name for their own benefit. 

The sword and lack of peace that Jesus spoke about was about the persecutions and tribulations to be experienced by His followers. It was God's way of telling us that, through our selfish and prideful ways, we have given enormous strength to the evil forces of nature. Evil rule the world, there is no denying that. But humans are not created to be evil. We are created in the likeness of God - a God who sacrificed Himself to redeem His fallen creation. Any attempt from followers of Christ to fight this evil will be countered with extreme retaliation. The fight is not just physical, it is also spiritual. It is a fight every human being will be faced with at some point in their life - fighting the evil in us. It is about choosing the right path while being faced with unexpected forks on the road - to sin or not to sin; to indulge or to abstain; to lust or practice self- control. It is about making choices to sacrifice personal gains by standing up for what is right - for the unborn, the weak, the poor, the elderly, and those whose rights are violated in the name race, gender and faith. 

St. Stephen made a choice to follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. He spoke in confidence to the face of clear and present danger: "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51). This is what we lack in this politically correct society - the courage to stand up and speak the truth. We are afraid of the ramifications as we worry about the potential loses such an act could welcome in. Hearing the truth is always resisted by the evil that reside in us, compelling us to shut our ears to the truth and to turn against the one who telling the truth. Anyone who follows the Spirit of the Absolute Truth is faced with this opposition from humanity under the influence evil. They are often faced with isolation, ridicule, torture, and even death. Stephen overcame the fear of abandonment and saw the glory of God. He was given the grace to pray for those who were ferociously casting stones at him, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). 

A day after the whole world celebrated the birth of Jesus, the Church is reminding us that there is more to be a follower of Christ than just celebrations. Jesus never hesitated to tell His disciples what they might expect if they followed Him. But, God also gives us sufficient grace to follow Him and to bear our cross with courage and hope. Those who persevere to the end will also be given the vision of God's glory.

"Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:17-22)