Fifty-four years ago today, my second son was born.  I remember it so well.  We’ll call him Steven, I responded to the doctor.   The smallest of my three, he weighed in at 8 lbs. 3 oz., but a happier baby I’d never seen.  His days are still full of joy and enthusiasm, as a parent and as a teacher of children.

I confess that he was named with no thought of Saint Stephen; it was simply the name of my choosing.  Writing this did stir my interest in the Stephen of the Bible.  I knew he was martyred, but how did he spend his life?’

Acts 6:5 introduces a faithful man of God named Stephen: “A man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” There have always been those faithful believers whose love for and commitment to the Lord seem to shine so greatly that others around them notice. Stephen was such a man. When the twelve apostles realized that they needed help in serving the poor, Stephen was one of the seven men chosen. He was responsible for the distribution of food to widows, a task he performed faithfully. God blessed Stephen with love; Stephen shared that love with those around him.

It is said that Stephen died at the age of 29. Even faced with his own death, he did not return the malignant hatred of his executioners. He prayed for their forgiveness while they were stoning him. His face had been like that of an angel on earth. In dying he gazed serenely into the company of angels and saw Jesus in whose righteous cause he was about to be put to death.

I see so much love and serenity in the life and service of Stephen. Surely, we might try to follow his example, for the Almighty God who filled Stephen with his unconditional love, offers the same to us.

Judy