Saint Stephen, the First Martyr: The Servant Who Forgave

In the first Christian community in Jerusalem, a very everyday problem arose. According to Pope Benedict XVI's commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, the poorest among the Greek-speaking group called the Hellenists, especially widows who had no one to support them, ran the risk of being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

The Apostles invited the disciples to choose seven men to take charge of this social and charitable service. The first name mentioned is Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles prayed and then laid their hands upon them. The liturgy of the Church later calls Stephen a deacon, although the Acts of the Apostles itself does not use that term for this group of seven.

His task sounds simple: making sure the weakest were not forgotten. Yet Pope Francis sees this as Stephen's first witness. Before he became known through his words, he was already bearing witness to Christ through the love with which he served those most in need.

His service did not stop at the matter of food. Stephen also proclaimed the Gospel among the Hellenists and reread the Old Testament in the light of Christ's death and Resurrection. This preaching provoked opposition. Some considered his words blasphemous. He was brought before the Sanhedrin and accused by false witnesses.

Stephen did not let himself be intimidated by the threats of his persecutors, even when things were going worse and worse for him. He gave a speech recorded as the longest in the Acts of the Apostles, reviewing the history of salvation. Then he bore witness: he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

He was condemned to stoning. According to Pope Benedict XVI's commentary, in his final moments Stephen knelt and took up the prayer of Jesus on the cross: he commended himself to the Lord and forgave his enemies. He died like the Master, praying for those who were killing him.

Among those present was a young man named Saul. Those stoning Stephen laid their garments near his feet, and he approved of the killing. Saul would later become the Apostle Paul. Stephen's death set off the first persecution of the disciples in Jerusalem. They were scattered, but instead they proclaimed the Gospel wherever they went. The persecution became a mission.

For Pope Benedict XVI, the story of Stephen shows that charity and the proclamation of faith always go hand in hand. Stephen was chosen above all to serve, but his charity could not be separated from his faith in Christ. Every year, on the day after Christmas, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Stephen, the first martyr.