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May
17

Acts of the Apostles 7 – Stephen's Discourses & Martyrdom

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Day 111, Acts 7

Good Day Everyone!  Amazing that this Sunday’s reading at Mass was about St. Stephen and his martyrdom!

 So we see the High Priest ask… “is this so?”

This was regarding the false accusations — and I just love Stephen for so many reasons!!

You see Stephen was angelic and filled with the Holy Spirit — and so he could only respond with the Word of God!

Remember this — the Word of God is transmitted in living manner — both written and oral!

Think about this for a minute — their Scripture at the time was Old Testament ONLY!!!

Everything after Old Testament was being ministered Orally!

SO the point is that they knew JESUS in the Old testament which is why we must study both — and see that Jesus did not only show up in the New Testament but HE IS the Old Testament WORD too!

SO Stephen discourses on Salvation History as was the only thing he would do — preach Jesus!

After he is finished… Stephen makes a final statement about God’s majesty and awesomeness — that He doesn’t dwell in houses made by human hands —

which was getting back to the point they were trying to accuse him of…

and then Stephen concludes…

“YOU STIFF NECKED PEOPLE… uncircumcised in heart and ears,

you always oppose the Holy Spirit”

Now this is so appropriate for this week — as we pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit –

and He will come by the way — but are we ready to receive HIM?

You know a stiff neck is very painful — it is inflexible and you can only see one way when you have one — I had one for a very brief time and — it was horrible!

Uncircumcised in heart and ears — I LOVE THIS!

This was a matter of heart — and hearing!  HOW LONG had God been so patient and sending them prophets and messengers and granted them many opportunities for repentance —

and here they were not bending — not trying to see — and circumcised according to their custom which meant covenant — but the real covenant that God wanted was with their hearts!

And all they cared about was the temple in structure and it’s GOLD!

THIS attitude GRIEVES the Holy Spirit and if you remember — that is the unforgivable sin — not to believe the movement the work of the Holy Spirit –

But also here we see the words OPPOSE the Holy Spirit — even worse!!!

His final words to them infuriated them… “You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it.”

They even ground their teeth at him in anger — and what did Stephen do — he looked up!

So in the midst of the enemy coming against him — Stephen was able to be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT – and see heaven and the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God!

You know if I saw that — I wouldn’t care what happened to me –

YOU see Stephen was FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT — nothing will happen without the Holy Spirit!

When Stephen shared what he saw — what did they do? 

 They cried out in a loud voice and covered their ears… and rushed upon him together!

OK — so take a good look at this because this is how the enemy moves –

When the Glory of God is being proclaimed in the midst of the world — you will hear loud voices crying out in order to drown out the Spirit of God –

Look at our world today — it is soooo loud!

When the Spirit of God and Jesus and God’s laws are being proclaimed — people cover their ears — they don’t want to hear it — the things of God are like…

available as a hobby — or an extracurricular activity in this life — there if you want it — something nice to do on the side with your family –

but not necessary to live on this earth!!!  SOOOOOO far from true and sooooo SAD!

When the True Word of God is proclaimed — people attack — they rush upon you –

don’t talk about religion and politics — or you will end up in an argument!

They threw Stephen out of the city -  and began to stone him — OK so they couldn’t do that on sacred ground  — so moved him outside the city and do the deed there –

don’t you love it — it is like Christians today who act one way in church and another way outside of church!

And of course Stephen becomes our first martyr — and just like JESUS he asks the Lord to receive his spirit and he forgives them – his percecutors of their sin — do not hold it against them –OK that is huge!

Who is doing that these days — I pray all of us are!!!

This was the first model and such a pivotal moment for the church!

Spend some time studying what Stephen brought up to them — all the salvation history which Luke saw as important here to record –

And write what you think here!

God bless you!

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  • Anonymous

    Hurray for the power the Holy Spirit gives us! Stephan was alone in front of the very men he knew could imprison him, flogg him or even have him killed. And he stood there facing them and saying all the things, sustained by the Scriptures, that they did not want to hear and would make them mad and decide his future. And he could say them so peacefully and accurate, because he had the power of the Holy Spirit and the peace of the Lord.

    Everytime I go to court, I am nervous and even afraid. I have to talk to the judge and comvince him that what I am saying in my argument is true and should be decided as I ask to. So I have to measure my words, so I don’t offend the judge, so he will grant what I ask. Adrenaline runs high and my stomach is a wreck. And every lawyer that I talk to that goes to court feels the same way. And I stand there for another, and none of us runs the risk of being killed or incarcerated (I do not do criminal law, just civil). So I can imganine just a drop of what Stephan was feeling. And yet, he went right to the point and said what he needed to say, regardless af the results of his words. He HAD to be filled with the Spirit, there is no other way. He didn’t shout, he didn’t insult them, he just spoke the TRUTH! ANd I am sure the Sanedrín was scared. They couldn’t take the TRUTH, so they shouted and screamend and closed their ears. They took him out and stoned him.

    I have never read much about. I looked it up in the internet and it says that people are put in a sac and burried up to their waist (men) or their shoulders (women) with their hand tied in the back. If they can get out, they are saved (which never happens). The stone to be thrown cannot be bigger than the palm of their hands, so that death is slow and will not come with one stone thrown. It really is a torture. So Stephan new what was going to happen to him. Apparently Stephan was not buried, because Luke tells us that he fell on his knees and prayed, but he did’nt die right away. He had time to fall on his knees, forgive his killers (with the pain he must have been feeling after many stones trhown at him, probably in his head) and give his spirit to the Lord. NOT ONE WORD OF HATE from his mouth. Only with the power of the Holy Spirit could this happen.

    Sometimes we read these things in the Bible and we take for granted the power of the Holy Spirit. And we don’t really understand what these first Christian went through because we can’t relate to what happened. I saw a stoning of a woman once in the internet. She wasn’t burried, and I couldn’t see the whole thing. Even now, when I looked it up in the internet, there were a few videos, but I just couldn’t look at any of them.

    We need to pray for the Holy Spirit to come to us everyday, and paray for our parishes, so they become communities that will support their members in spreading the Gospel with the power of the Holy Spirit. PTL!!!

  • cuquilavergne

    Hurray for the power the Holy Spirit gives us! Stephan was alone in front of the very men he knew could imprison him, flogg him or even have him killed. And he stood there facing them and saying all the things, sustained by the Scriptures, that they did not want to hear and would make them mad and decide his future. And he could say them so peacefully and accurate, because he had the power of the Holy Spirit and the peace of the Lord.

    Everytime I go to court, I am nervous and even afraid. I have to talk to the judge and comvince him that what I am saying in my argument is true and should be decided as I ask to. So I have to measure my words, so I don't offend the judge, so he will grant what I ask. Adrenaline runs high and my stomach is a wreck. And every lawyer that I talk to that goes to court feels the same way. And I stand there for another, and none of us runs the risk of being killed or incarcerated (I do not do criminal law, just civil). So I can imganine just a drop of what Stephan was feeling. And yet, he went right to the point and said what he needed to say, regardless af the results of his words. He HAD to be filled with the Spirit, there is no other way. He didn't shout, he didn't insult them, he just spoke the TRUTH! ANd I am sure the Sanedrín was scared. They couldn't take the TRUTH, so they shouted and screamend and closed their ears. They took him out and stoned him.

    I have never read much about. I looked it up in the internet and it says that people are put in a sac and burried up to their waist (men) or their shoulders (women) with their hand tied in the back. If they can get out, they are saved (which never happens). The stone to be thrown cannot be bigger than the palm of their hands, so that death is slow and will not come with one stone thrown. It really is a torture. So Stephan new what was going to happen to him. Apparently Stephan was not buried, because Luke tells us that he fell on his knees and prayed, but he did'nt die right away. He had time to fall on his knees, forgive his killers (with the pain he must have been feeling after many stones trhown at him, probably in his head) and give his spirit to the Lord. NOT ONE WORD OF HATE from his mouth. Only with the power of the Holy Spirit could this happen.

    Sometimes we read these things in the Bible and we take for granted the power of the Holy Spirit. And we don't really understand what these first Christian went through because we can't relate to what happened. I saw a stoning of a woman once in the internet. She wasn't burried, and I couldn't see the whole thing. Even now, when I looked it up in the internet, there were a few videos, but I just couldn't look at any of them.

    We need to pray for the Holy Spirit to come to us everyday, and paray for our parishes, so they become communities that will support their members in spreading the Gospel with the power of the Holy Spirit. PTL!!!

  • Anonymous

    when i read how courageous these apostles who ran when Jesus was arrested and who were hiding in the upper room became when they received the Holy Spirit, i feel maybe it is an exageration.

    then i think of the times when i have gone thru tribulations and how i managed to get thru without being crushed (even everyday smaller tribulations) and i know it must have been true. we receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation but they didnt have Confirmation at that time.

    so there we have this force (Fortitude ) inside that we can tap on. woooooooooooooohooooooooooooooo! i dont ever want to take the Holy Spirit for granted.

    mother angelica said in one of her programs that the world is full of noise – the devil wants to drown our thoughts. im in therapy right now and have to lay down with heat on and i tried to say a rosary since i have to waste half an hour there on my stomach so i cant read, and they have this music on – so annoying that i cant concentrate. in the dr’s office they have a tv talking all the time so loud.

    why cant we have moments of silence with our thoughts? imagine how much praying would get done.

    marie, this is a beautiful Holy Spirit novena and has been such an inspiration to pray it. our friend, ann r., reads this every day and has been saying the novena and loves it.

  • marionraffa

    when i read how courageous these apostles who ran when Jesus was arrested and who were hiding in the upper room became when they received the Holy Spirit, i feel maybe it is an exageration.

    then i think of the times when i have gone thru tribulations and how i managed to get thru without being crushed (even everyday smaller tribulations) and i know it must have been true. we receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation but they didnt have Confirmation at that time.

    so there we have this force (Fortitude ) inside that we can tap on. woooooooooooooohooooooooooooooo! i dont ever want to take the Holy Spirit for granted.

    mother angelica said in one of her programs that the world is full of noise – the devil wants to drown our thoughts. im in therapy right now and have to lay down with heat on and i tried to say a rosary since i have to waste half an hour there on my stomach so i cant read, and they have this music on – so annoying that i cant concentrate. in the dr's office they have a tv talking all the time so loud.

    why cant we have moments of silence with our thoughts? imagine how much praying would get done.

    marie, this is a beautiful Holy Spirit novena and has been such an inspiration to pray it. our friend, ann r., reads this every day and has been saying the novena and loves it.

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Once again this is fabulous and inspired!!! I truly believe that the Lord has given you the court and law experience for a reason — so that you can teach others! PTL! And I love all you wrote about Stephen! Praise GOD!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Praise the Lord and whooo hoooo! This is a great share! By the way — they did have Confirmation — it was receiving the HOLY SPIRIT as in Pentecost and also everywhere that you are reading that Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire! So you see — it came later that it was with the laying of hands — and we see that right away too — and will see it in upcoming chapters everywhere that the apostles went and the people did not know about the Holy Spirit the apostles prayed and said receive the Holy Spirit — that was Confirmation! So glad you are enjoying the novena!

  • Anonymous

    Hi, Marie, thanks so much for your insights. Awesome as always. I truly love Stephen,filled with the Holy Spirit and says what he has to say and saying it whether the High Priest is going to like it or not,whoooooooooooooooooo, go Stephen go !!!!!! What’s wrong with telling the truth and the priests didn’t want to hear the truth, well wake up and get with it will ya!!!!!!!!!!!!I cannot believe they covered their ears and they grounded their teeth at him. Hello, why can’t you listen and understand what Stephen is saying!!!! Hello Stephen jusst told you the truth and you just can’t stand it can you. They rejected everyone that was sentto them and as Stephen says you oppose the Holy Spirit, what foolish people will they ever be happy? NO>NO,NO not until they obey God and not idols and find favour in the sight of God. They need to experience the HOLY SPIRIT and receive the many gifts he has to offer for all of us. Come Holy Spirit and don’t leave us orphans ,we need courage!!!!!!! Thank you God for sending your chosen Martyr to try to open the hearts of these stiff necked people.
    Now lets look at Moses; the Lord appeared to Him as a buring bush, he had to take his sandals off because he was standing on Holy Ground and God said he heard their groaning and I have come to resuce them. Moses was chosen as ruler and deliverer but rejected. Moses led them out, and performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and what did they do our ancestors they would not obey him and turned their hard hearts to makg idols and worshiped them. So they had a chance to follow God and His ways but chose not to, but instead perscuted the one sent to them. Let us be like Stephen and say ” Lord do not hold this sin against them. Let’s remeber that always. PTL.

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Once again this is fabulous and inspired!!! I truly believe that the Lord has given you the court and law experience for a reason — so that you can teach others! PTL! And I love all you wrote about Stephen! Praise GOD!

  • http://FiredUpCatholics.com/ Marie Joseph

    Praise the Lord and whooo hoooo! This is a great share! By the way — they did have Confirmation — it was receiving the HOLY SPIRIT as in Pentecost and also everywhere that you are reading that Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire! So you see — it came later that it was with the laying of hands — and we see that right away too — and will see it in upcoming chapters everywhere that the apostles went and the people did not know about the Holy Spirit the apostles prayed and said receive the Holy Spirit — that was Confirmation! So glad you are enjoying the novena!

  • marylatini

    Hi, Marie, thanks so much for your insights. Awesome as always. I truly love Stephen,filled with the Holy Spirit and says what he has to say and saying it whether the High Priest is going to like it or not,whoooooooooooooooooo, go Stephen go !!!!!! What's wrong with telling the truth and the priests didn't want to hear the truth, well wake up and get with it will ya!!!!!!!!!!!!I cannot believe they covered their ears and they grounded their teeth at him. Hello, why can't you listen and understand what Stephen is saying!!!! Hello Stephen jusst told you the truth and you just can't stand it can you. They rejected everyone that was sentto them and as Stephen says you oppose the Holy Spirit, what foolish people will they ever be happy? NO>NO,NO not until they obey God and not idols and find favour in the sight of God. They need to experience the HOLY SPIRIT and receive the many gifts he has to offer for all of us. Come Holy Spirit and don't leave us orphans ,we need courage!!!!!!! Thank you God for sending your chosen Martyr to try to open the hearts of these stiff necked people.
    Now lets look at Moses; the Lord appeared to Him as a buring bush, he had to take his sandals off because he was standing on Holy Ground and God said he heard their groaning and I have come to resuce them. Moses was chosen as ruler and deliverer but rejected. Moses led them out, and performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and what did they do our ancestors they would not obey him and turned their hard hearts to makg idols and worshiped them. So they had a chance to follow God and His ways but chose not to, but instead perscuted the one sent to them. Let us be like Stephen and say ” Lord do not hold this sin against them. Let's remeber that always. PTL.