\u00a0<\/p>\n To be a martyr is to feel the storm coming and willingly to endure it at the call of duty, for Christ’s sake, and for the good of the brethren.<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014Blessed John Henry Newman, from\u00a0Magnificat,\u00a0<\/em>Dec. 26th, 2016<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n IT\u00a0<\/strong>may seem odd that,\u00a0the very next day after the joyful feast of Christmas Day, we commemorate the martyrdom of the first professed Christian. And yet, it is most fitting, because this\u00a0Babe whom we adore is also a Babe whom\u00a0we must follow<\/em>\u2014from the crib to the\u00a0Cross. While the world races to the nearest stores for “Boxing Day” sales, Christians are called on this day to flee from the world and refocus their eyes and hearts upon eternity. And that requires a renewed renunciation of self\u2014most especially, the renunciation of being liked, accepted, and blended into the landscape of the world. And this all the more as those who hold fast to moral absolutes and Sacred Tradition today are being labeled as “haters”, “rigid”, “intolerant”, “dangerous”, and “terrorists” of the common good.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Under such circumstances, the stoutest hearts are in danger of failing… They yield to the incessant annoyance which the apprehension of persecution and the importunity of friends inflict on them. They sigh for peace; they gradually come to believe that the world is not so wrong as some men say it is, and that it is possible to be over-strict… They learn to temporize and to be double-minded… as an additional argument for concession to those that remain firm as yet, who of course feel dispirited, lonely, and begin to doubt the correctness of their own judgment…. those who have fallen, in self-defense, become their tempters.<\/strong> \u2014Blessed John Henry Newman, Ibid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Perhaps many of you already know of what I speak\u2014having spent or are spending time with relatives who reject the Gospel or, at least, refashion it in their own image and liking. Yes, I know, you want the holidays to be peaceful and amicable. But today’s Gospel reminds us that, though we strive for peace with all, it is sometimes not possible \u2014not<\/em> when it demands that we compromise our faith:<\/p>\n Brother will hand over brother to death,\u00a0and the father his child;\u00a0children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.\u00a0You will be hated by all because of my name,\u00a0but whoever endures to the end will be saved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In fact, it is a great sign<\/em> when you are despised because of your faith in Jesus!\u00a0Blessed are you who are persecuted,\u00a0<\/em>Our Lord\u00a0said. It is a sure sign that the Spirit of God, the Seal and promise of eternity, lives in you.<\/p>\n …they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which [Stephen]\u00a0spoke. When they heard this, they were infuriated,\u00a0and they ground their teeth at him. (Today’s first reading)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n When this happens, we are tempted to back off, to “keep the peace.”\u00a0But\u00a0if we compromise the truth, we will have denied Jesus who is “the truth<\/em>” and find ourselves\u00a0sifted from the flock, cowering with those Apostles who fled Gethsemane and denied His name. What we should never back off from is not only the truth, but a spirit of gentleness, patience, and love. [1]<\/sup><\/a>cf. 1 Peter 3:16<\/span><\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/12\/stephen-1024x778.jpg\")
<\/span>St. Stephen the Martyr<\/em>, Bernardo Cavallino (d. 1656)<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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