Luke 2:8-14
- From: "Traudel" <hildegard8@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 26 Dec 2005 10:51:03 -0600
Bible Verse
-- Luke 2:8-14 --
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over
their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory
of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said
to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be
for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to
you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby
wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel,
praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The greatest event in history had just happened! The Messiah had been born!
For ages, the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally occurred, the
announcement came to humble shepherds. The good news about Jesus is that he
comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary. He comes to anyone with
a heart humble enough to accept him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you
can have Jesus in your life. Don't think you need extraordinary
qualifications -- he accepts you as you are.
<><><><>
December 26th - Stephen the Deacon, Protomartyr (RM)
Died in Jerusalem, c. 35; feast day in the East is December 27; other feast
days on August 3 to commemorate the rediscovery of Stephen's relics, and on
May 7 their translation to Rome.
Stephen was the first martyr of the Catholic Church. The story of his
election as one of the first seven deacons to serve the Greek-speaking
Christians and his martyrdom is found in Acts 6:1-8:3. He was stoned to
death by the Jews at the instigation of the Sanhedrin. The gist of his
argument in support of Christianity was that God does not depend upon the
Temple, because it, like the Mosaic Law, was a temporary institution
destined to be fulfilled and superseded by Christ, who was the prophet
designated by Moses and the Messiah the Jews had long awaited. His dying
prayer obtained the conversion of St. Paul, who was actively engaged in
Stephen's martyrdom. This is all that is known of him, but from these
details certain things can be deduced: Stephen was probably a Greek-speaking
Jew, perhaps educated in Alexandria, and a zealous preacher.
Stephen's feast was kept in both the East and West at least from the 4th
century. His cultus was given further popularity by the discovery of his
remains.
His relics were discovered in a remarkable way, some centuries after his
martyrdom. In the year 415 a certain holy priest named Lucian was awakened
one night by a venerable man appearing to him clothed in white. He called
him by his name and bade him go to Jerusalem and tell the bishop to come and
open the tombs, in which lay the remains of several servants of God,
together with his own. Through their means, he said, God would open to many
the gates of his clemency.
Lucian asked who it was who spoke to him. It is Gamaliel, the figure
replied, the one who instructed Paul the apostle in the law. He told the
priest that the body of St. Stephen, who was stoned to death by the Jews,
would be found without the city beyond the northern gate. His body had been
left exposed a day and a night, he said, without being touched, but he had
exhorted the faithful to carry it away secretly at night to his home in the
country. The bodies of Nicodemus who sought Jesus by night, together with
others, would also be found.
Lucian fearing that he might be deceived and if he made known these things
be looked upon as an impostor, gave himself to prayer, asking that if this
message was from God, it would be made known to him a second and a third
time.
Some days afterward Gamaliel appeared to him again as before and commanded
him to obey. Still he delayed until a third message had been given him, then
terrified lest some punishment should come upon him for his long delay, he
went to Jerusalem. He laid the whole matter before the bishop who bade him
go at once and search for the relics.
The bodies were found at Kafr Gamala, though not immediately, contained in
three coffins, engraved with Greek characters, the names of Stephen,
Nicodemus, and Abibas. The bishop hurried to the scene with a multitude of
people. When the coffin of Stephen was opened a sweet fragrance pervaded the
air, and many miracles took place at the tomb. Stephen's relics were taken
to Jerusalem, the others left at Kafr Gamala, which is about 20 miles from
the northern gate of Jerusalem.
His alleged relics, together with the stones reputedly used at his
martyrdom, were translated first to Constantinople and then to Rome. The day
on which they were translated, the Church now celebrates the principal feast
of the saint. Many of the early Fathers of the Church testify to the
authenticity of this wonderful discovery.
In 444 the Empress Eudocia built a stately Church over the spot where
Stephen had been stoned to death and in which the relics were enshrined.
Saint Augustine, in the last book of The City of God, speaking of the
miracles which followed the discovery says: "Let us so desire to obtain
temporal blessings by St. Stephen's intercession that we may merit in
imitating him those which are eternal."
How many countless thousands of holy men and women were to follow the first
martyr St. Stephen, who persevered in death, proclaiming that the faith that
they had professed in life and thus entering with him into their eternal
reward (Attwater, Benedictines, Bentley, Coleridge, Delaney, Encyclopedia,
Murray, White).
In art he is shown vested as a deacon, holding a book or a palm; or carrying
stones; or with stones resting on his book of the Gospels; or with stones
gathered in the folds of his dalmatic. In several unusual pieces, he is
shown (1) in a coffin with Abibas, Gamaliel, and Nicodemus around him; (2)
his body guarded by animals; (3) preaching to the Jews 14th- Century French
Illumination (Roeder).
He is the patron saint of bricklayers (due to his death by stoning)
(Roeder), those in the building trades (White) and deacons (Farmer). Stephen
is also the patron of several French cathedrals including those at Sens,
Bourges, and Toulouse (Farmer). He is invoked against headaches (Roeder).
<><><><>
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Divine Jesus, You have said, "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall
find; knock and it shall be opened to you." Behold me kneeling at Your feet,
filled with a lively faith and confidence in the promises dictated by Your
Sacred Heart to Saint Margaret Mary. I come to ask this favor:
Mention your request).
To whom can I turn if not to You, Whose Heart is the source of all graces
and merits? Where should I seek if not in the treasure which contains all
the riches of Your kindness and mercy? Where should I knock if not at the
door through which God gives Himself to us and through which we go to God? I
have recourse to You, Heart of Jesus. In You I find consolation when
afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when burdened with trials,
and light in doubt and darkness.
Dear Jesus, I firmly believe that You can grant me the grace I implore, even
though it should require a miracle. You have only to will it and my prayer
will be granted. I admit that I am most unworthy of Your favors, but this is
not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercy, and You
will not refuse a contrite heart. Cast upon me a look of mercy, I beg of
You, and Your kind Heart will find in my miseries and weakness a reason for
granting my prayer.
Sacred Heart, whatever may be Your decision with regard to my request, I
will never stop adoring, loving, praising, and serving You. My Jesus, be
pleased to accept this my act of perfect resignation to the decrees of Your
adorable Heart, which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me and
all Your creatures forever.
Grant me the grace for which I humbly implore You through the Immaculate
Heart of Your most sorrowful Mother. You entrusted me to her as her child,
and her prayers are all-powerful with You. Amen.
<><><><>
Mary and Joseph Prayer:
O Jesus, Lamb of God, may the prayers of Mary and
Joseph help us to stay close to you all the days of our lives,
growing ever deeper in our understanding and
appreciation of what you have done and will continue to do
for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
.
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