The first reading for today is composed of two different passages, namely the beginning and end of the quite long narrative concerning Stephen. The first part, the beginning, shows us some of the human and spiritual qualities of Stephen. He was a man filled with grace and power. Part of his power was manifested particularly in the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke. He seems to have possessed a natural eloquence, a natural power for discussion and persuasion. While it was not these human gifts which made him a martyr, we can see how, by the grace of God, he used his human qualities in the service of the Gospel. It was that dedication to the truth of the Gospel and to the person of Jesus the Messiah which won for him the crown of martyrdom. He paid for his dedication with his life.

Most of us will never be called to shed our blood for Christ, but we are all called to be dedicated people. We too can become true and loyal servants of the truth, good ministers of the word of the Lord. We can be dedicated to the person of Jesus the Messiah. What we can do, we must do.