PRAYING AND LOVING TILL THE END!

Today we read about the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr of the early Christian church, and how he prayed for the forgiveness of his enemies before he died. Scripture has it that, ‘As they were stoning Stephen, he called out loud, ‘Lord Jesus receive my spirit. And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep’ (cf. Acts 7:55-60).

Beloved people of God, the ability to stay in prayer, to forgive and to love till the end will never come easy. These are not things that one receives by wishful thinking. Yet, as difficult as it is, it is not impossible. What would make it possible will include, associating with Jesus, drawing close to him through quiet time, reading of the Scripture, meditating on his words, reflecting on his ways and taking baby-steps, daily, putting into practice what one learns from the Master. The Holy Spirit who has been promised to us, helps us too, in the most difficult and challenging circumstances. Little wonder the Scripture says, ‘Stephen, full of the Holy spirit was able to follow the example of Jesus’. Our Blessed Lord suffered for us. He forgave those who nailed him to the cross. and left us an example to follow in his steps. Stephen prayed also for the forgiveness of those who were stoning him to death. This is not advocating for a spirituality that glorifies needless pain and suffering. Any pain, suffering that cannot be turned into a sacrifice for the wellbeing of others, for the salvation of souls or to the glory of God, if it can be avoided must be avoided.

We pray never to inflict needless pain on others. Still more do we pray that any pain, suffering, whatever we have to endure, will never be useless or worthless. Stephen helped with the conversion of Saul. May everything that we have to go through in life, in prayer and love become a sacrifice that saves.                                                                                            

Fr. Ted