From Christmas to the Feast of St. Stephen, from birth of Christ to Death of Church’s First martyr, from glorious WHITE to bloody RED seems to be an odd combination. What is the relevance of this linkage? Like Jesus St. Stephen was delivered into the hands of enemies; like Jesus St. Stephen was cast out of the city; like Jesus Stephen endured suffering to the end and like Jesus Stephen died forgiving and praying for his enemies.
The placing of the Feast of a martyr (St. Stephen) the next day of Christmas could be seen as a pedagogy to teach us that Christmas is not just eating sugary cakes but also drinking the bitter gall of persecution. Sometimes, loving and living for Jesus means being ready to suffer and die for him, Amen.
Fr. Jerry Joseph Vallomkunnel MCBS