GOD IS OUR FATHER, IF WE ACCEPT THIS AND FULFILL HIS LAW OF LOVE TO OTHERS WE WILL BE SAVED IN HIS KINGDOM.***

Responsorial Psalm: 30(31)

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

1. Be a protective rock for me, / a very safe shelter that saves me! / Yes, you are my rock and fortress; / for your honor, guide me and lead me! – R.

2. Into your hands, Lord, I commit my spirit, / because you will save me, O faithful God! / Your love makes me jump for joy, / because you looked at my afflictions. – R.

3. I place my destiny in your hands; / free me from the enemy and the oppressor! / Show your serene face to your servant / and save me by your compassion! – R.

Gospel: Matthew 10,17-22

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. / Our God is the Lord, he is our light (Ps 117,26s). – R.

 – At that time, Jesus said to his apostles: 17 “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues. 18You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, to testify before them and before the nations. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say. Then, at that moment, you will be told what you should say. 20Indeed, it will not be you who will speak, but the Spirit of your Father will speak through you. 21A brother will deliver his own brother to death; the father will hand over the son; Children will rise up against their parents and kill them. 22You will be hated by everyone because of my name. But he who endures to the end shall be saved". – Word of salvation.

Reflection:

One of the seven deacons instituted in Acts 6:1-6, Stephen did not limit his “diaconate” to works of charity; he also took on the preaching of the Gospel. In addition to being the first deacon and defender of the faith, Stephen was also the Church's first martyr. Full of grace and power, Stephen performed great wonders and signs among the people. His testimony of life and his unconditional fidelity to Christ until his death certainly provoked the conversion of a large number of people, including the young Paul of Tarsus (cf. Acts 7:58). With excellent literary expression and deep emotion, the author of Acts of the Apostles conveys to us the final moments of Stephen's earthly life, killed by stones. The account of Stephen's martyrdom resembles the martyrdom of Christ: he forgave his tormentors and gave his spirit to God.