December 26, 2020

St. Stephen

Acts 6: 8-10, 7:54-59 Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him.  Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.  

Place me with your Son

I used to wonder at the placement of the Feast of St. Stephen on the heels of Christmas Day, with the readings seemingly negating the joy of the Nativity. Now, in this year especially, the readings remind me that Jesus (Emmanuel) came to be with humankind and also so that we would be with him.

This was St. Ignatius’ deep desire: “Having prayed constantly for a year to Our Lady ‘Mary, place me with your Son’, his prayer was answered when he experienced such a change in his soul and saw so clearly that God had placed him with his Son Christ that his mind could not doubt that God the Father had indeed placed him with His Son.” (Autobiography, ch. 10)

This is the heart of Ignatian spirituality -- that we desire to love and serve (in the words of Ignatius, todo es amar y servir) in the manner of Jesus -- full of grace and power, we would be with him, accompanying one another in the very real circumstances of daily life.                     

As we celebrate the mystery of Emmanuel (God-with-us) in the person of Jesus, how do you experience a desire to also be with Jesus and thereby with the human family -- that is, to love and serve? 

—Ann Holmquist is the Vice President for Mission at Loyola High School of Los Angeles.

 

 

Prayer

Emmanuel, today I pray for the grace and power to be with you in love and service.  Help me to love in palpable everyday circumstances and to serve in ways that truly help.  Amen

—Ann Holmquist

Please share the Good Word with your friends!