Today is the Feast Day of St. Stephen the Martyr. Stephen was one of the first deacons of the church, a righteous and devout man. He was martyred by people full of hatred and intolerance. As he was being stoned, he fell to his knees and prayed that God would have mercy on his killers. 

Today's reading is from the book of Wisdom 4:

"For old age is not honored for length of time, or measured by number of years; but understanding is gray hair for anyone, and a blameless life is ripe old."

We have all known people who died at an early age, yet were full of a Wisdom well beyond their years. That Wisdom is not the wisdom of this age but rather the very Wisdom of the LORD. It is the Wisdom of holiness and devotion. It is the Wisdom that gives one grace and peace even in the face of death.

I pray to get it before I die.