Daily Lesson for December 26, 2014

Today's daily lesson for the Feast of St Stephen comes from Acts chapter 7 verses 59 and 60:

59 As they stoned Stephen, he called upon God, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Today is the Feast of St Stephen in the liturgical calendar. St Stephen was one of the first deacons, and the first Christian martyred for his faith.  He is a model for truth told in love.

We are all called upon at times to speak a hard word of truth.  Most of us refrain from doing so because we are too co-dependent to say anything which might jeopardize how we are perceived in others' eyes.  In short, we like being liked so much that we end up tolerating some pretty deplorable situations -- situations which may down the road actually end in our own demise. That's how sick some of us are -- we would rather be liked than have to tell the difficult truth which will keep our marriage, or our organization or even our country alive. 

St Stephen shows us another way.  He is confident enough in his self and secure enough in his God that he is able to speak hard, difficult, and ultimately-rejected truth.  He is despised by his hearers. Yet their spiteful rejection does not cause Stephen to cower or stumble in his words; nor does it cause him to despise them in return. Even when they seek to take his life by stoning him, Stephen prays for them with a countenance which was said to be angelic. In that last moment where his attackers hover over him and cast their stones, Stephen acts demonstrates honor and a supernatural love for his enemies.  He is free; even in death he is free.

Our task is to find that kind of freedom in life -- so whether our message is well-received or totally rejected, and whether we are loved or hated, we ourselves can speak our truth in love -- always.

Special Announcement: Daily Lessons will be on break until the New Year so I can rest and enjoy the reflect some over the remainder of the holiday.  Look for another lesson in 2015!