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| St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Nigeria |
News has come out of Nigeria that there have been orchestrated explosions at Christian churches throughout the country on Christmas day. At least thirty-nine persons have been killed. Boko Haram, a Muslim militant group has taken credit for the bombings. The group wants to establish Shariah law throughout the country.
December 26th is the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Today’s senseless act of violence reminds us that the age of the martyrs is not over. These men and women died in witness to their faith – celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace.
As we face this violence the temptation to respond in kind is strong but we look to the witness of St. Stephen to remind us that the weapons we fight with are not of this world and are based in the love and mercy of God. It is the love which has overcome all the sad violence and divisions of this world.
I pray for our brothers and sisters in Nigeria – for those who lost their lives in the simple act of attending Christmas Mass and for those who mourn the loss of their loved ones.
Here is the second reading from the Office of Readings for the Feast of St. Stephen. I believe that the words carry great weight at this time.
| A sermon of St Fulgentius of Ruspe |
Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of his soldier. Yesterday our king, clothed in his robe of flesh, left his place in the virgin’s womb and graciously visited the world. Today his soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven.
Our king, despite his exalted majesty, came in humility for our sake; yet he did not come empty-handed. He brought his soldiers a great gift that not only enriched them but also made them unconquerable in battle, for it was the gift of love, which was to bring men to share in his divinity. He gave of his bounty, yet without any loss to himself. In a marvellous way he changed into wealth the poverty of his faithful followers while remaining in full possession of his own inexhaustible riches.
And so the love that brought Christ from heaven to earth raised Stephen from earth to heaven; shown first in the king, it later shone forth in his soldier. Love was Stephen’s weapon by which he gained every battle, and so won the crown signified by his name. His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his neighbour made him pray for those who were stoning him. Love inspired him to reprove those who erred, to make them amend; love led him to pray for those who stoned him, to save them from punishment. Strengthened by the power of his love, he overcame the raging cruelty of Saul and won his persecutor on earth as his companion in heaven. In his holy and tireless love he longed to gain by prayer those whom he could not convert by admonition.
Now at last, Paul rejoices with Stephen, with Stephen he delights in the glory of Christ, with Stephen he exalts, with Stephen he reigns. Stephen went first, slain by the stones thrown by Paul, but Paul followed after, helped by the prayer of Stephen. This, surely, is the true life, my brothers, a life in which Paul feels no shame because of Stephen’s death, and Stephen delights in Paul’s companionship, for love fills them both with joy. It was Stephen’s love that prevailed over the cruelty of the mob, and it was Paul’s love that covered the multitude of his sins; it was love that won for both of them the kingdom of heaven.
Love, indeed, is the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defence,- and the way that leads to heaven. He who walks in love can neither go astray nor be afraid: love guides him, protects him, and brings him to his journey’s end.
My brothers, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together.
The Alternate Path 