FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, PROTOMARTYR
ANGELUS POPE
FRANCIS
Saint
Peter's Square
Monday, 26 December 2016
Monday, 26 December 2016
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| PHOTO: L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO |
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good
morning!
The joy of Christmas fills our hearts today too, as
the liturgy involves us in celebrating the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, the
First Martyr, inviting us to reflect on the witness that he gave us with his
sacrifice. It is precisely the glorious witness of Christian martyrdom,
suffered for love of Christ; the martyrdom which continues to be present in the
history of the Church, from Stephen up to our time.
Today’s Gospel (cf. Mt 10:17-22) told us of this
witness. Jesus forewarns the disciples of the rejection and persecution they
will encounter: “you will be hated by all for my name’s sake” (v. 22). But why
does the world persecute Christians? The world hates Christians for the same
reason that they hated Jesus: because he brought the light of God, and the
world prefers darkness so as to hide its evil works. Let us recall that Jesus
himself, at the Last Supper, prayed that the Father might protect us from the
wicked worldly spirit. There is opposition between the Gospel and this worldly
mentality. Following Jesus means following his light, which was kindled in the
night of Bethlehem, and abandoning worldly obscurity.
The Protomartyr Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit,
was stoned because he professed his faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The
Only Begotten Son who comes into the world invites every believer to choose the
way of light and life. This is the meaning of his coming among us. Loving the
Lord and obeying his voice, the Deacon Stephen chose Christ, Life and Light for
all mankind. By choosing truth, he became at the same time a victim of the
inexplicable iniquity present in the world. But in Christ, Stephen triumphed!
Today too, in order to bear witness to light and to
truth, the Church experiences, in different places, harsh persecution, up to
the supreme sacrifice of martyrdom. How many of our brothers and sisters in
faith endure abuse and violence, and are hated because of Jesus! I shall tell
you something: today’s martyrs are more numerous with respect to those of the
first centuries. When we read the history of the first centuries, here in Rome,
we read of so much cruelty toward Christians; I tell you: there is the same
cruelty today, and to a greater extent, toward Christians. Today we should
think of those who are suffering from persecution, and to be close to them with
our affection, our prayers and also our tears. Yesterday, Christmas Day,
Christians persecuted in Iraq celebrated Christmas in their destroyed
cathedral: it is an example of faithfulness to the Gospel. In spite of the
trials and dangers, they courageously witness their belonging to Christ and
live the Gospel by committing themselves in favour of the least, of the most
neglected, doing good to all without distinction; in this way they witness to
charity in truth.
In making room in our heart for the Son of God who
gives himself to us at Christmas, let us joyfully and courageously renew the
will to follow him faithfully, as the only guide, by continuing to live according
to the Gospel attitude and rejecting the mentality of those who dominate this
world.
Let us raise our prayers to the Virgin Mary, Mother
of God and Queen of Martyrs, that she may guide us and always sustain us on our
journey in following Jesus Christ, whom we contemplate in the grotto of the
Nativity and who is the faithful Witness of God the Father.
After the
Angelus:
I express my
heartfelt condolences on hearing the distressing news of the Russian aircraft
which crashed in the Black Sea. May the Lord comfort the dear
Russian people and the families of the passengers who were aboard: journalists,
the crew, and the excellent Russian Army choir and orchestra. May the Blessed
Virgin Mary support the search operations currently underway. In 2004 the Choir
performed in the Vatican for the 26th anniversary of the Pontificate of Saint
John Paul II: let us pray for them.
Dear brothers and sisters, in the climate of
Christian joy which emanates from the Birth of Jesus, I greet you and thank you
for coming.
To all of you who have come from Italy and other
nations, I renew my good wishes of peace and serenity: may these be days of joy
and fraternity for you and for your families. I greet and convey my best wishes
to all those who are named Stephen or Stephanie!
In these weeks I have received many messages of
good wishes from the whole world. As I am unable to respond to each one, today
I express to everyone my sincere thanks, especially for the gift of prayer.
Heartfelt thanks! May the Lord reward you abundantly!
Happy feast day! Please, do not forget to pray for
me. Enjoy your lunch. Arrivederci!
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