St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

A funny thing happens during Morning Prayer pretty regularly -- the Scripture readings appointed for the day resonate in a new way with the familiar prayers and collects that we read on specific weekdays.

Today we celebrate the Feast of Stephen, one of the Seven -- the first deacons -- appointed by the apostles to ensure that the ministries of care and preaching were extended to the Greek-speaking as well as the Hebrew-speaking Christians (Acts 6). Stephen was the first Christian to die because of his faith, his preaching having landed him in hot water with the council in Jerusalem.

Today is also Saturday, and in the collect for the day of the week we pray "that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared for the service of your sanctuary" (BCP 99). The collect normally reminds us of the Sabbath rest ordained by God after the work of creation was accomplished, but today it also carries overtones of death. The prayer concludes with the petition "that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven."

Stephen is the prototype for those who trust completely in God's assurance of salvation, who do not even fear death, "our rest here upon earth." That unshakable faith is probably one of the reasons that following the naming of the Seven, "the word of God continued to spread, the number of the disciples increased greatly, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith" (Acts 6:7).

May our Lord give you such confidence in his salvation that you, too, can live and serve with boldness.