Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
As we hear Stephen’s words of condemnation and hear of the reaction of the crowd, we come to understand what it means to truly be open to the joy of the Lord. We must be open to Christ, who has been sent into the world to be our joy. He is the bread of life. Nothing lacks the one who comes to believe in Him, because in Him they find the satisfaction of their hearts deepest desires. And with the satisfaction of our deepest desires comes the greatest of joys.
Again we are confronted with the example of Stephen, but this time in the midst of his martyrdom. As he is being killed, he does not choose any other focus but Christ. He no longer addresses the crowds, but rather calls out in prayer, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” (Acts 7:59) He considers the crowd only in the light of the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God, and again prays to Him, but this time for them. “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60) Why is such great joy the possession of those like Stephen who show us by how they live and die what it means to be Christian? They are joyful because they are united to Christ! Their thoughts become conformed to His thoughts, their words to His words, and so the joy He shares with the Father becomes the possession of those united to the Father through Him. Today, let us especially ask if there is anyone who the Lord may be inviting us to forgive. Through the intercession of St. Stephen, may we be given the grace to be united to Christ who forgives and rejoices.