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Monday, April 15, 2013

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Acts 6:8-15
Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30
John 6:22-29

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unstoppable

"This man never stops..." —Acts 6:13

St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr:

  • was "a man filled with grace and power" (Acts 6:8),
  • was full of the Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 6:5),
  • was so full of wisdom that the international all-star team of debaters "proved no match for the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke" (Acts 6:8-10),
  • lived so full a life that, even though he was commissioned to handle the time-consuming job of distributing food, he still found plenty of time to witness about Jesus,
  • "worked great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8),
  • evangelized so powerfully that the Jews rated him as a greater enemy than the twelve apostles, choosing him as the first Christian to be killed, and
  • focused so intently and lovingly on Jesus that even while hostile enemies sought his life, he radiated heavenly joy (Acts 6:15).

The false witnesses who testified against Stephen managed to speak one true statement: "This man never stops" (Acts 6:13). Like Stephen, may we be so full of the Holy Spirit that we never stop serving, loving, praising, and sharing the risen Jesus.

Prayer:  Father, may I imitate Jesus with the attentiveness, faith, and devotion of St. Stephen.

Promise:  "You should not be working for perishable food but for food that remains unto life eternal, food which the Son of Man will give you." —Jn 6:27

Praise:  Marty, a non-Catholic, discerned that Jesus was calling him to be a Catholic priest. He joined the Church that he once criticized and is now studying for the priesthood.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 2, 2012

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