16 April 2024 -- Tuesday of the 3rd week of Easter
Homily
The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles continues to describe the beginnings of the Church in Jerusalem. Yesterday we saw how the deacon Stephen, full of God's grace and power, performed signs and wonders, and how his opponents were no match for the divine wisdom with which he was filled. Today we have a description of his violent death. Stephen is not only the first martyr in the history of the Church, but the model par excellence of constancy and strength in the supreme witness even unto death. He surrendered his soul to Jesus just as Jesus had surrendered his spirit to the Father and, in this supreme movement of surrender, his eyes were opened and even before he gave up his soul he saw the glory of God.