Acts 7:55-60
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The Acts of the Apostles gives considerable attention to the martyrdom of Stephen. While the lectionary passage is brief, the full account provides a Christ like portrait of the man and his death. Stephen delivers the single lengthiest address in the book - offering a review of Israel's history and a commentary on God's plan and the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
It is likely that Luke demonstrated such interest in Stephen because his story touches on key areas of interest. As a Greek-speaking Jew, Stephen himself is an example of the universal call to repentance. It is no accident that Paul, so critical to the Gentile mission, is introduced here at Stephen's martyrdom. The remarkable parallels between Stephen's trial and death and that of Jesus demonstrate a critical truth of the Acts - the faithful disciples of Jesus carry on his work, and he remains present and alive to them. Even as the text offers a model disciple, it begins and ends with the Christological heart of the matter. |
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Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9
The Psalm that follows the account of Jesus' death acclaims the sovereignty of the Lord over all creation and over the gods of the pagan world. Notice too that the Psalm acclaims the justice of the Lord - a justice that contrasts with the pitiable lack of justice among the leadership that has accused and executed Stephen. But the effect of this Psalm is not to call condemnation upon Stephen's persecutors, but to assert what Stephen has already acclaimed - the mercy and sovereignty of the God who saves. Saul, soon to be Paul, provides the perfect example of God's power to overturn injustice and redeem the sinner.
Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20
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The concluding chapter of the Book of Revelation provides rich symbolism of hope and redemption to a suffering Christian community. That community, experiencing ferocious persecution, have indeed be washed in the waters of baptism and in the blood of the Lamb. They have been united to Christ and look to His coming with hope. The Lord's words recall imagery of divine providence from the Scriptures and Jesus' own words of promise to His disciples. Their suffering and loss have not been in vain for the power of God transforms apparent defeat into sublime, joyous, victory.
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John 17:20-26
Chapter 17 of John's Gospel brings a long series of discourses by Jesus to a close. In a series of scenes that began with the foot washing, Jesus turned His attention to those closest to Him. He offered them the model of His humble, self sacrificial love. He shared bread with them and gave a new commandment. He prepared them for the trauma of his Passion and drew them into His work of reconciling the world. And now, in this chapter, we hear Jesus pray to the Father for His chosen ones.
First, this prayer is a thing of beauty. It reveals Jesus' tender love for these very flawed disciples. For every generation of disciples, these words move the heart to gratitude and wonder. Here the King of the Universe draws us close - into His unique relationship with the Father.
In this respect, the prayer sums up the central truth of the Gospel. In this Gospel, Jesus lives in an intimate communion of life with the Father - so much so that Jesus is the full revelation of the Father to the world. And Jesus has been inviting others into that communion of love. They will know and love Him and in doing so they will be reconciled to the Father.
First, this prayer is a thing of beauty. It reveals Jesus' tender love for these very flawed disciples. For every generation of disciples, these words move the heart to gratitude and wonder. Here the King of the Universe draws us close - into His unique relationship with the Father.
In this respect, the prayer sums up the central truth of the Gospel. In this Gospel, Jesus lives in an intimate communion of life with the Father - so much so that Jesus is the full revelation of the Father to the world. And Jesus has been inviting others into that communion of love. They will know and love Him and in doing so they will be reconciled to the Father.
