Memorial of Saint Athanasius, bishop and doctor of the Church
Readings for the Memorial of Saint Athanasius
Selected readings from the work of Saint Athanasius

First Published: Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Stephen is Stoned

Reflection:

We too follow the Lord, and we keep his feast by deeds rather than by words. (from an Easter letter by Saint Athanasius) Today we follow the two threads of the on going saga unfolding in Acts and the Gospel of St. John. In Acts, St. Stephen finds his destiny as he is martyred through stoning. It is notable that an important figure is present and identified by name. It is Saul and the scripture says Saul was consenting to his execution.

Saul, who will become St. Paul, is mentioned twice in the passage. The first time the author says; The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul beyond pointing out that Saul/Paul was present none of the commentaries I looked at could tell me why the witnesses would do that. I suspect I am ignorant of an ancient Hebrew tradition. It is probably because Saul is an official of the Sanhedrin and as such receives the testimony of the witnesses sufficient to carry out the sentence for blasphemy which was stoning.

I will remember what I said yesterday of St. Stephen (our first Deacon and first martyr) and point out in support of the words of St. Athanasius with which I started this reflection, that the Holy Spirit gives amazing strength to those who can tap into it. Stephen clearly did and his eschatological words Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God echo back to us today. His witness earned him death and started the first persecution of the Church.

At the very end of our Gospel today we hear the beginning of the Lords great discourse on the Bread of Life. It is our food for the spiritual journey we are called to take. Todays prayer then is;

Lord God, giver of the greatest gifts an unworthy people have ever received; the gift of our heavenly food, Jesus Christ Your Son; and the gift of the Holy Spirit which completes us, we thank you for all you do for us.

We give you praise for you have shown us the path that leads to you through your Holy Word and the works of the saints who have gone before us to live with you in the Heavenly Kingdom.

Lord, we ask you to give us the grace today, to proclaim your glory through all we do. We ask that our actions, with every breath we take, will announce, to all we meet, that we are Yours and that You are in us. Give us the strength to do this in an often hostile world that others might know hope and understand that you are the path. AMEN

Pax