Gospel and Saint of the day: 26 December 2019

Acts of the Apostles 6,8-10.7,54-59.
In those days, Stefano, full of grace and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Then some of the synagogue called the "freedmen" arose, also including the Cirenèi, the Alessandrini and others from Cilicia and Asia, to dispute with Stefano,
but they could not resist the inspired wisdom with which he spoke.
Upon hearing these things, they quivered in their hearts and gritted their teeth against him.
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, fixing his eyes to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus who was on his right
and said: "Behold, I contemplate the open heavens and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."
Then they broke into very loud cries, locking their ears; then they all hurled together at him,
they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their cloak on the feet of a young man called Saul.
And so they stoned Stephen while praying and saying: "Lord Jesus, welcome my spirit".

Salmi 31(30),3cd-4.6.8ab.16bc.17.
Be for me the cliff that welcomes me,
the shelter belt that saves me.
You are my rock and my bulwark,
for your name direct my steps.

I rely on your hands;
you redeem me, Lord, faithful God.
I will rejoice over your grace.
because you looked at my misery.

my days are in your hands.
Free me from the hand of my enemies,
from the hold of my persecutors:
Make your face shine on your servant,

save me for your mercy.

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew 10,17-22.
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware of men, for they will hand you over to their courts and scourge you in their synagogues;
and you will be brought before the governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness to them and the pagans.
And when they deliver you into their hands, don't worry about how or what you will have to say, because what you will have to say will be suggested at that moment:
for it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
The brother will kill the brother and father the son, and the children will rise up against their parents and make them die.
And you will be hated by all because of my name; but whoever perseveres to the end will be saved. "
Liturgical translation of the Bible

26 December

SAINT STEFANO MARTIRE

First Christian martyr, and for this reason he is celebrated immediately after the birth of Jesus. He was arrested in the period after Pentecost, and died stoned. In him the figure of the martyr as an imitator of Christ is realized in an exemplary way; he contemplates the glory of the Risen One, proclaims his divinity, entrusts his spirit to him, forgives his killers. Saul witness of his stoning will collect his spiritual heritage by becoming Apostle of the people. (Roman Missal)

PRAYERS in SANTO STEFANO

Almighty and everlasting God, who with the blood of Blessed Stefano Levita welcomed the first fruits of the Martyrs, grant, we ask you, that our intercessor is the One who also begged for his persecutors our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns in the centuries of centuries. So be it.

Give us, Father, to express with life the mystery that we celebrate on the Christmas day of St. Stephen the first martyr and teach us to love our enemies as well, following the example of him who dying prayed for his persecutors. For Christ our Lord. Amen.

O inclito Santo Stefano Protomartire, our heavenly patron, we address our humble fervent prayer to you. You who dedicated your whole life to the service, prompt and generous, of the poor, the sick, the afflicted, make us sensitive to the many voices of help that arise from our suffering brothers. You, fearless advisor of the Gospel, strengthen our faith and never allow anyone to weaken its vivid flame. If, along the way, fatigue assails us, it awakens in us the ardor of charity and the fragrant fragrance of hope. O our sweet Protector, You who, with the light of works and martyrdom, were the first splendid witness of Christ, infuse a little of Your spirit of sacrifice and ablative love into our souls, as proof that «It is not so joyful to receive as much as to give ». Finally, we ask you, O our great Patron, to bless all of us and above all our apostolic work and our providential initiatives, aimed at the good of the poor and suffering, so that, together with you, we can one day contemplate in the open skies. the glory of Christ Jesus, Son of God. So be it.