Wednesday December 26, 2018
Calendar-: Christmas Time
Colour of Vestment: Red
Saint of the day-: SAINT STEPHEN, The First Martyr Feast
FIRST READING
Theme of reading-: “Behold, I see the heavens opened.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:8- 10; 7:54-59)
In those days; Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth against him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together upon him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Taken from-: Ps 31:3bc-4.6 and 8ab.16bc and 17 (R. 6a)
R. Into your hand, O Lord,
I commend my spirit.
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a mighty stronghold to save me.
For you are my rock, my stronghold!
Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name. R.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
You will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.
Let me be glad and rejoice in your mercy,
For you who have seen my affliction. R.
R. Into your hand, O Lord,
I commend my spirit.
Deliver me from the hands of my enemies
and those who pursue me.
Let your face shine on your servant.
Save me in your merciful love. R.
ALLELUIA
Gotten from-: "Psalm 118:26a.27ab
Alleluia. Blessed is he who enters in the name of the Lord; the Lord is God, and he has given us light.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
Theme of the Gospel reading-: “It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 10:17-22)
At that time; Jesus said to his apostles, “Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Life brief story of Saint Stephen-:
SAINT STEPHEN, The First Martyr Feast
Stephen, a deacon of the early Church, was ready to bear witness to his faith in the Lord. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he proclaimed the resurrection of Christ and called his people to conversion and faith. The forgiveness that he offered to those who killed him reflects the forgiveness offered by Jesus himself to those who crucified him. The feast of Saint Stephen, known as the proto-martyr, the first witness/martyr, reminds us of the high price we pay as we place our faith in the new born King.
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