Saturday 26 December

Saint Stephen, the first Martyr (F)

Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Psalm 31;
Matthew 10:17-22

Forgiveness

Stephen’s feast comes the day after Christmas because he was the first to die for his faith in the Lord. As Jesus died he said”, Father forgive them for they know not what they do” and his disciple Stephen said something very similar, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” In our own country Farid Ahmed, a Muslim Imam whose wife was murdered in the Christchurch massacre, has refused to hate the murderer but strives to hold only love in his heart. For most of us forgiveness is a long and difficult process only achieved through constant prayer. Jesus, teach us to forgive those who have hurt us.