INFURIATED AT WHAT HE SAID

PRAYER PAUSE  (At the moment our internet sometimes works and other times doesn’t!)

Tuesday 26 December 2017, Stephen

INFURIATED AT WHAT HE SAID

Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading: “They were infuriated when they heard what he said, and ground their teeth at him.”  (Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59)

Reflection. The birth of Jesus immediately leads into the birth of the Church. “There was no room at the inn” immediately leads into there being no room in the hearts of some of  the Jewish leaders for Stephen’s message about Jesus. “You are always resisting the Holy Spirit,” he says to them (Acts 7:51). In the clash the “strong” crush Stephen and he is killed. Luke draws many parallels with the death of Jesus, which was the logical outcome of his birth and taking on our human life. As  with Jesus, there is a trial before the High Priest and at the moment of his death Stephen repeats the words of Jesus of commending his spirit to God and forgiving his murderers.

Prayer. Lord, through your birth and journey with us, help us to struggle against the evil within us and in the world. Amen.