20 Apr
Tue
3rd Week of Easter
Acts. 7:51-8:1
Ps. 30(31): 3-4,6,7,8,17,21
Jn. 6:30-35
(Ps Wk III)
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"Lord, do not hold this sin against them." The dying words of Stephen echo the words of Jesus on the Cross: "Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). Jesus died as a martyr, a witness to the truth. Stephen was persecuted and killed for bearing witness to Jesus. Only the life and death of Jesus can give meaning to the death of Stephen or of any Christian martyr, for it was the passion and death of Jesus which brought the grace of the resurrection.

Stephen's prayer for himself as he was being stoned is a model for all Christians facing any serious trouble or illness, and especially when facing death: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." This again is an echo of Jesus' prayer on the Cross: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Lk 23:46).

For the early Church, the death of the martyrs most clearly manifested and vindicated Christian hope. However, the early Christians also understood that a holy life, even without a martyr's death, was a significant witness to the truth of Jesus and so they honoured other saints besides the martyrs, to provide us with many models of holiness.



Lord Jesus, into Your hands I commit my whole life, my body and my spirit.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That every tendency to fundamentalism and extremism may be countered by respect, tolerance, and dialogue among believers.
Elaboration

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