Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Saint Stephen, the first Martyr Matthew 10:17-22 Stephen became the first martyr after the ascension of Jesus.  The sea of martyrs started growing. In the gospel, Jesus assures us not to worry because it is his spirit guiding us as we give witness amidst the trials and adversities of life. A day after Christmas and we heard the Christians such as Stephen sacrificing their lives for Christ.  How do we celebrate the Christmas season? Christmas is simply giving witness to the words and actions of Jesus as he saves us.  This involves an on-going process of getting to know him and how he carries out his plan of salvation.  Being born in a stable is part of that plan.  Jesus wishes to save not only in a spiritual way, but encompassing every human reality, including the ugliest, the most dreadful, and acceptable. Second is how Christmas affects our lives.  It should affect us in the same way Stephen was affected by the power of the gospel of Jesus....

Eucharist and martyria John 6:30-35  Martyria simply means witnessing.  We give witness to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist through his body and blood. We give witness to Jesus as the bread of life that comes down from heaven to save us and to free us from sin. We give witness to Jesus' words and actions and take them as our own. We give witness to Jesus to lead us and other loved ones to salvation. We give witness to Jesus even if it means offering our lives to him. Our participation in the Eucharist means that we take upon ourselves the very body and blood of Jesus and that we too become his body and blood for the salvation of the world.

Jesus is Himself the gift  Our Easter observance takes us now to Stephen, the first martyr. He was a deacon. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he gave witness to Jesus' resurrection even he hadn't seen him. Two signs that he was living out Jesus - his vision of the heavens opening and seeing the angels, and asking for forgiveness for those who were persecuting him. Stephen is a living sign of the resurrection of Jesus. In the gospel, Jesus invites us to purify our intention for serving Him. It is not because of the many gifts that we receive from him; rather, he himself is the gift. And through the Holy Sacrifice of the mass, he freely gives himself to us. Jesus, his very person, is the gift. On our pilgrim way to heaven, may we opt to be like Jesus day by day, believing totally in His care and love, and slowly be transformed according to His image and likeness.