Third Tuesday of Easter

The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them"; and when he said this, he fell asleep. Now Saul was consenting to his execution.

The forgiving words of Stephen stand in stark contrast to the callousness of Saul. Can we imagine pardoning the people who are stoning us? Can we imagine standing by and watching someone being stoned to death? And yet, here are two people doing just that... one the first martyr of our faith and the other the eventual Apostle to the Gentiles. Truly God did not hold the death of Stephen against Saul... instead He used this experience to led Saul to Damascus and to his conversion experience. This gives us hope that we, though sinners, will also be given a chance to make amends for our past transgressions. If God can forgive Saul and transform him into Paul the Apostle, then He can save us, too, and lead us to a better and more faithful life.

Are we willing to lay down our life for our faith? How can we be more like Stephen and forgive those who trespass against us? What can we do to make amends for our past sins?

O Lord, do not hold our sins against us.

Amen.