Today, we hear about the aftermath of
the martyrdom of Stephen. We see holy
men of the faith burying Stephen and lamenting his violent death. And we see Saul, who also had a part in
Stephen’s death, actively pursuing followers of Jesus, having them dragged out
of their homes and handed over to the Roman authorities. We know the rest of the story about Saul, how
he has a conversion to the faith and becomes one of the greatest missionaries
in the history of the Church.
Saul was tearing down the Church and
the kingdom of God in today’s reading from Acts. We have the choice as well: we can work for
the values of God’s kingdom and for peace and justice, or we can tear down and
destroy. This reading ends with Philip
going to Samaria in order to preach the Word of God to the people there, and he
has great success. I recently read an
article on the internet that many lapsed Catholics are looking at the faith
once again after being energized by Pope Francis and the way he is reaching out
to so many people in the world. Even in
a world that criticizes our faith on so many levels, God’s Word is still
reaching many.
As we hear this reading today, may it
give us encouragement and hope.
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