SATURDAY, December 26 Saint Stephen

Stephen was the first Christian martyr. Historians estimate that beginning with the apostles, 70 million Christians have died for their faith, nearly two thirds of them within the last one hundred years. Christian martyrdom isn't abating. It's still happening. It's happening this year. I can give you names and locations.

Martyrs are created by people with power to lose. Most Christian martyrs have been killed by their governments, but churches have done it, too. It's because the faithful know that all power comes from God. The nation and church therefore do not come first for Christians--all nations and churches are accountable to God. Christians do not mistake any earthly power for God--emperors, presidents, bishops, and prelates are all accountable to God. But most people in authority are more keen on keeping their positions than on obeying God. Stephen spoke out in his day against a "stiff-necked people" who resisted the Holy Spirit and he was stoned for it. Christians still speak out that way, and Christians are still being killed. If it isn't happening where you live, is it because the people running things are so virtuous or because the Christians aren't saying anything?

PRAY for the Diocese of York (York, England)

Ps 31; Jeremiah 26:1-9, 12-15; Matthew 23:34-39