St. Stephen was one of the first seven deacons appointed to serve the Church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1–6). Described as “full of grace and power,” he boldly proclaimed Christ before the Sanhedrin, tracing God’s saving work through Israel’s history and confessing Jesus as the Righteous One (Acts 7). Enraged by his testimony, his hearers dragged him outside the city and stoned him, making Stephen the first Christian martyr. As he died, Stephen prayed for his persecutors and commended his spirit to the Lord, echoing Christ’s own words from the cross (Acts 7:59–60).
Stephen’s witness shows that faithful confession flows from confidence in Christ’s victory. His prayer for his enemies teaches us to entrust ourselves wholly to God, even in suffering. May his example strengthen us to confess Christ truthfully, forgive generously, and rest in the sure hope of the resurrection promised to all who die in the Lord (Acts 7:55–56).
Catholic Jonesboro 