Today’s readings can be found at: http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/050911.shtml
In our reading today, we find the Jewish authorities plotting against Stephen, because they are worried that the temple (a building) and the customs of the people and Moses would be destroyed by the teachings of Jesus which Stephen was professing openly to the people. I think that we should try to learn a lesson from this Scripture. That lesson is that the Church is not made up of simply buildings and customs. What if a tornado or hurricane destroyed our church building. Would that mean that the Church ceases to exist? Of course not! The Church is not a building, but a people. In fact, the Second Vatican Council refers to the Church as the People of God. Customs, too, cannot take precedence over the good of people. This was the beginning of the end for St. Stephen, as we shall see in tomorrow’s reading. Stephen gave his life for Christ — the first martyr — because he could not go against the Holy Spirit who was within him, telling him to speak out boldly about Jesus and his Good News. Perhaps that is why our reading for today says that he had a face like an angel!
The Concho Padre
THE CONCHO PADRE POST 