St. Stephen, Protomartyr

If we were asked to choose a Gospel reading for the day after Christmas, I wonder how many of us would choose the text just proclaimed. We are still floating on the happiness of our celebration of Christmas, still reveling in the joys of family and community life that make Christmas a most beloved holy and holiday. 

However, today is the Feast of St. Stephen and the second day in the Octave of Christmas.  We remember the first martyr today. The Scriptures for today's liturgy throw us headlong into the mystery of the cross while we are still gathered around the crèche savoring the birth of our Savior in Bethlehem. St. Stephen's example, recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, is a reminder that being a follower of Jesus and living out the Christian vocation can exact a costly price for all of us. We are remembering a man who lived out that vocation and whose dying words were a prayer for those who were persecuting him, words that echo the words that Jesus spoke from his cross.

In many parts of the world, today is called “Boxing Day.” Those among us who are fans of sporting events might think this is a reference to an athletic contest involving padded gloves and a canvas ring. Actually, it refers to a custom that has its origins in a charitable practice, perhaps inspired by the Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslaus.”  Wealthy or more affluent people would box up the leftovers of their Christmas dinners and offer them to the poor on the day after Christmas. Christmas usually does see many in our society make an effort to relieve the plight of the poor.  We distribute turkeys for hungry people. Various groups collect toys and offer them to children who would otherwise not have much under the Christmas tree. Various groups of carolers make their way to nursing homes to entertain people who can no longer care for themselves.  While some complain that Christmas has become far too commercial, there is no gainsaying that it also brings out the best in us as well. Such charity is admirable, but like so many things is a two-edged sword. Charity toward the poor should be a year-long effort, not something we do in the month of December.

This feast also reminds us that Christmas is about reconciliation, about forgiveness. God’s efforts to forgive motivated the plan to save us that brought us a Savior whom we call Emmanuel – God with us. When we forgive others their faults, we continue to make the light of Christ illumine the darkness of this world. 

Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator