Born in Time, Born into Glory . . . A Christmas Lesson For All of Us Today’s Homily centers on the profound pairing of Christmas Day and the Feast of St. Stephen, . . . . . . highlighting the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation alongside the Church’s first martyr. Christ humbles Himself, laying aside heavenly glory to enter human fragility, while Stephen, in turn, lays aside earthly life to be clothed in heavenly glory. This contrast reveals a single pattern: humble self-giving leads to exaltation. Stephen’s Martyrdom Stephen’s martyrdom mirrors Christ’s own Passion . . . not only in rejection and death outside the city, but most strikingly in his prayer of forgiveness for his persecutors. His final words reveal the true mark of life in the Holy Spirit: not power or eloquence, but radical love and trust. The Gospel’s warning about persecution is fulfilled in Stephen, who does not rely on rehearsed words or self-control, but allows the Spirit to speak through him. The Homily emphasizes that martyrdom is not primarily suffering or death, but testimony . . . a witness forged through ordinary, daily faithfulness. Saints are not made by extraordinary moments alone, but by perseverance in fidelity. In Stephen, the Church sees not only the first martyr, but the pattern for all believers: faithfulness today prepares us for whatever witness tomorrow may demand. Listen more to Born in Time, Born into Glory . . . A Christmas Lesson For All of Us -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Quote from the Homily This is Jesus Christ, In his Incarnation, He leaves heavenly glory and veils the light of His being in fragile human flesh. And on this day, Stephen, the martyr, rudely stoned, and put to death, lays aside the fragility of his body that he might be vested and robed in the glory of the victorious realm . . . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work The Martyrdom of St Stephen: Italian Painter: Annibale Carracci: 1603 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why was this image selected: Carracci’s painting shows Stephen at the moment of violent death, yet spiritually lifted beyond it. The painting embodies the Homily ’s central contrast: Christ born into time, Stephen born into eternity . . . two “birthdays” revealing the same divine victory. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gospel Reading: Matthew 10: 17-22 First Reading: Acts 6: 8-10; 7: 54-59