REFLECTIONS TODAY
The Gospel passage belongs to the “Missionary Discourse” of Jesus (Matthew 10). In the historical context of Jesus’ ministry, the disciples are sent (they become apostles—“those sent”) to the people of Israel. Opposition to their message comes from the religious leaders, the Herodians, and some hostile audience. It is clear that the persecutions mentioned by Jesus are attendant to the post-resurrection mission. In fact, Matthew’s Gospel ends with the great commissioning: the disciples are to go and teach all nations (28:19).
The Gospel prefigures the fate of Stephen, a Jew from the diaspora who was appointed one of the seven deacons to minister to the needs of the Hellenist Christians. Luke, who loves to draw figures in pairs, clearly presents Stephen’s “witnessing” in the light of Jesus’ own passion and death. Like Jesus, Stephen dies asking forgiveness for his enemies. Just as Jesus entrusted his spirit to the Father, Stephen asks Jesus, whom he now sees in glory, to receive his spirit. Stephen is the first of the “cloud of witnesses” who will stand before governors and kings to bear witness to Jesus, and who will include the great apostles Peter and Paul.
As deacon, the primary duty of Stephen is to serve in charity. But it is impossible to separate charity and faith. And so Stephen is stoned to death by his proclamation of the faith. Do we, in turn, give witness to our faith by word and deed?
Gospel • Matthew 10:17-22
Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.