You will be hated by all men on account of my name; but the man who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Blessed are the meek! Saint Stephen on the morning of his death probably did not know that he was going to die and become the first martyr. No one had died except Jesus and He rose from the dead. Saint Stephen was just doing the Lord’s command to take care of God’s people. The Gospel says to stand firm and that is what Saint Stephen did.
We have to stand firm, as well.
We have a world at war, a country in distress, morality is in the dust-bin and we get up every day and go about our day. We have every option at every moment and we have a choice to do good or evil.
My mother put up with a great deal as I grew up. We lived with my grandparents. My dad and grandfather were in business and our home was in both my mother’s and grandmother’s name. The reason was to protect their assets in case they lost their business. Their business was successful, but they wanted a safety net for their home. We all try to protect ourselves and our home.
My grandmother was difficult to say the least. She would make snide remarks about my mother. She would make accusation about her. My mother took it and with quiet dignity ignored my grandmother. The remarks hurt my mother but she suffered through it with dignity. She received her justice later is life. God’s grace pulled her through it.
God’s grace is going to get you through your burdens today. Just like Saint Stephen God’s grace will get you through the day. This is easy to say if you knew what the outcome will be. Unknowns can be frightening. Jesus said in today’s Gospel. Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Beware of men: they will hand you over to sanhedrins and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the pagans. Jesus goes on to speak, When they hand you over, do not worry about how to speak or what to say;
Do Not Worry!
There are so many things in this world that we do not have control. Tomorrow and the next day we will have even less control. God, nevertheless, is in control.
One of my close relatives will be evicted from her condo in 40 days. She lives in another state. I don’t have the money to save her financially or I would. She doesn’t know where she is going but she is going. She is 79 and disabled. Her children are trying to help but they have medical and mental problems that only add to the confusion. It is a sad situation at Christmas and New Years.
It will take $15,000 to $20,000 to correct the problem. In the end she and her children are in God’s hands. We worry but in the end the outcome will always be to the Glory and Praise of God the Father, Jesus, the Son and the Holy Spirit. My relative’s favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11. Keep her and family in your prayers.
Your worries, likewise, will be solved and taken away. Trust in God’s plan for your life. We have no control, but God does.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Pope Leo XIV. Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace! The impossible could and can happen. (Saint Rita) Never deny God! Pray for justice for immigrants! Pray for justice for our President and all government officials!
