Pray for your Enemies!

 

26th December 2024

Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-8:1

Meditation

Pray for your Enemies!

Stephen was stoned to death. St Stephen is the first martyr of the Church. He was a killer, for he was preaching Christ. He was dragged openly and was stoned to death. Saul approved of the killing of Stephen. While Stephen was being stoned, he had a vision of God. He saw Jesus being at the right hand of God. The most positive aspect of Stephen's attitude towards the persecutors was his prayer for them.

In pain and death, one has a negative attitude, and all the more towards those who harm. It is Divine grace to think and wish well for those who persecute. Such an attitude involves the attitude of Christ. Jesus, while dying on the cross, prayed, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ Praying for those who directly harm and intend evil to us is the greatest act of love.

Do we wish our deadly enemies well?

Feast of St Stephen

Gospel: Mt 10:17-22

Meditation

Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles (Mt 10:17-18).

Today, we keep the feast of the first martyr of the Church. He was killed for bearing witness to Christ. He died bearing witness to Christ and praying for his persecutors. His prayer was like that of Jesus on the cross: 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do’. The act of forgiveness is one of the qualities of Christians. Primarily, it is the teaching of Jesus to forgive those who offend us and pray for them. In daily life, we may have to forgive and pray for them. Let us learn the attitude of forgiving and praying for our offender.

Do you trust that the Lord gives the gift of speech when you are speechless?

Feast of St Stephen

Fr Putti Anthaih Sdb

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