Gone Before Us
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Feast of St. Stephen, First Martyr
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 10:17-22– Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved."
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…death…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Immediately after the celebration of Christmas the liturgical readings jolt us (for a day) into the reality of the present world. The day after Christmas marks the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr in Jerusalem. It reminds us that Jesus came to earth to die.
But to note only Jesus’ suffering and death would be a mistake. Jesus came also to rise…and to have us ultimately rise with Him. Even amidst the stoning of Stephen, God gives Stephen the great joy of nearing Him in heaven. Suffering will surely meet us in the world, but if we are united to Christ, these short sufferings carry in them, and eternally beyond them, great joy. Suffering and even death cannot take away from us that joy that is brought to us by Christ.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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