Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr
For you are my rock and my fortress, therefore for your name's sake lead me and guide me. Pluck me out of the net that they have laid secretly for me, for you are my stronghold.
Blessed is he who comes in the Lord's name! We have blessed you out of the Lord's house.
The Lord is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.
But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. But when they deliver you up, don't be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
"Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr, a deacon who proclaimed Christ boldly and paid the ultimate price for his witness. His courage in the face of death became the template for countless martyrs who would follow.
What strikes me most about Jesus's words to his disciples is how unflinchingly honest he is about the cost of following him. He doesn't sugarcoat the reality that discipleship can strain even our closest relationships. When we live by Gospel values in a world that often operates by different principles, friction is inevitable.
I think about the parent who refuses to participate in workplace gossip, or the teenager who won't join in when friends mock someone who's different. These moments of standing apart can feel isolating, even within our own families or social circles. Jesus acknowledges this painful reality – that sometimes our commitment to love and truth creates distance with people we care about.
But notice what Jesus promises: when we're called to account for our faith, we won't be left speechless. The Spirit will give us words. This doesn't mean we'll always have perfect comebacks or win every argument. Rather, it means that in those moments when we need to speak truth with love – whether to a hostile crowd or a confused family member – God's Spirit is present, helping us find the right words.
What I find beautiful here is that Jesus isn't asking us to manufacture courage we don't have. He's promising that the Spirit who strengthened Stephen will strengthen us too. The same God who was Stephen's fortress becomes our refuge in moments of difficulty.
How might God be calling you to gentle but firm witness today? When have you experienced the Spirit giving you words you didn't think you had? What would it look like to trust more deeply in God as your stronghold?