The Example of Stephen

ONLINE REFLECTION, ST. PAUL’S, FOLEY

AUGUST 12, 2020

TEXT:               Acts 6:1-15

COLLECT FOR THE FEAST OF STEPHEN

I use the collect for the Feast of Stephen because we seldom observe that feast, due to its observance on December 26.  We have other things going on at that time. I encourage you to read the daily lection today – Acts 6:1-15.

I also use it because Stephen is the focus of the New Testament lesson in today’s lectionary.

If we are of the mind that church conflict was invented by any recent controversy, we should be disabused of that notion. The Book of Acts, an account of the early days of the church, tells of grumblings by the Greek followers of Jesus that the relief to the widows and orphans of the community is being mostly provided to the Hebrew Christians.

The disciples apparently threw up their hands.  “We have much more important things to do.  Pick seven men that we can dispatch to do the church’s work in the community.”

In a nutshell, that is how the separate order of deacons came into being, though their ministry was not clearly defined

Stephen was one of the seven who were called.  The disciples laid hands on them – an early sign of ordination – and sent them out to work in the community.

We live 2,000 years later.  But Stephen’s active ministry lasted only a few days.  His bold preaching – sharing the Good News of God in Christ – angered some of the Jewish sects he encountered.  They brought him before the Council of religious leaders, making accusations against him.

Today’s lesson does not include what happened – that will be covered by the daily lection in the coming days.  But we know – Stephen’s statements so riled the critics that he was stoned to death, becoming the first Christian martyr.  And, at the end, it is noted that a young man stood by the stoning, looking on with approval. It was Saul – who would ultimately become Paul, the greatest of all Christian missionaries.

Stephen suffered for his faith.  Paul would, too – in many forms. Many other early followers, too.

It is important to remember that genuine Christian faith – lived with authenticity – involves trials, difficulties, conflict and pain.  Jesus never promised us a rose garden.  But he foreshadowed what Stephen and Paul would know intimately: Take up your cross and follow me.