Today is the feast day of St. Stephen, known as the first martyr. The first reading, from the Acts of the Apostles, tells the story of this disciple who is stoned to death for witnessing to the faith. How quickly do our liturgical readings turn from a night of peace and life in the birth of our Lord to a day of violence and death!
But much is revealed in this rough transition. St. Stephen experiences the reality of the world, a world not at peace, but still very much violent and broken. Jesus came to bring peace to the world, and this is a peace the world itself cannot give. Our first martyr may have died violently, but he died in peace, seeing Christ standing at the right hand of God. He finished the race and received the crown of victory. After all, “Stephen” comes from the Greek meaning “crown” or “wreath.”
Lord Jesus, in this world so often marred by violence and turbulence, give us the peace that the world cannot give.