Homily for Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr - Year A

The readings for the Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr - Year A may be found at:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122625.cfm

Today, the Church

does something very intentional.

Ushering us quickly from Bethlehem,

where we sang of peace on earth

and rejoiced in the Word became flesh,

almost immediately to the killing

of Saint Stephen, the first martyr of the Church.

The contrast - almost shocking, but not accidental.

The Church refusing to let us rush past 

the true meaning of Christmas.

Not allowing us to linger for long, 

in the manger where Christmas feels safe.

Not allowing Christmas to become 

too sentimental, too comfortable.

Instead, the day after we adore 

the Word become flesh, the Child 

wrapped in swaddling clothes,

the Church places before us 

a deacon wrapped in courage.

The baby Jesus and Saint Stephen.

The manger and the martyr - never far apart.

Stephen - not a savior, not an apostle, not a priest.

But a deacon. Chosen for service.

Chosen to make sure no one was overlooked.

Chosen for the ordinary, hidden work of the Church.

And yet, despite all of this,

when the moment of witness comes,

it was Stephen who stands,

it was Stephen who speaks,

it was Stephen who follows Christ 

all the way to the Cross.

That deserves and demands our attention.

Because the permanent diaconate is not a partial vocation.

It is not preparation for something else.

It is a full, sacramental configuration to Christ the Servant.

And where the Servant goes, the deacon follows.

In the Acts of the Apostles, the evangelist Saint Luke tells us

that Stephen was “filled with grace and power.”

Grace first. Always grace first.

Before words. Before action. Before courage.

The power of the deacon not coming

from titles or authority, not from the stole,

our place in the sanctuary, or how well we speak,

but from a life rooted in prayer,

humility, and fidelity to the Church.

Without grace, our ministry becomes

more Martha than Mary - activity, anxiety, and noise.

But with grace, 

even the smallest act of service becomes Gospel.

There is no greater example to this than Saint Stephen.

As the stones rained down, he forgave.

As death approached, he entrusted his spirit to God 

and prayed for those murdering him.

The one who once served tables

now offering his very life while praying for others -

up until the end.

This is the example that we follow as deacons.

We may never be faced with ritual stoning,

but we are all called to martyrdom,

albeit a quieter and more gradual one.

The martyrdom of patience. Of humility.

Obedience. Of serving when no one notices.

Of loving the Church even when she is wounded,

even when we feel unsupported by her,

even when she disappoints us.

A martyrdom of forgiveness, 

when bitterness or indifference would be an easier path.

At his last breath, Stephen looked up to see Jesus standing.

The risen Christ rising once more - not from the tomb,

but to welcome home a deacon.

Brothers, God never sleeps. Christ sees our service.

He notices what the world overlooks.

Stephen never sees the fruit of his witness.

But make no mistake, his faithfulness 

helps shape the future of the Church -

so may it be with us.

On this feast of Saint Stephen, 

let us pray for the grace

to be faithful deacons.

Filled with grace. 

Steadfast in service. 

Gentle in truth.

And whether in life or death,

may we always point not to ourselves,

but to Christ.

Saint Stephen, 

deacon and martyr, 

pray for us.