“But they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke.”
Acts 6:10
Watching debates on YouTube is a weakness of mine, and among recent trends is the posting of videos in which one commentator supposedly “destroys” an opponent with superior logic, only it’s not always logic that wins the day. All too often, clever name-calling or personal attacks take the place of reasoned argumentation. Such was the response to St. Stephen in today’s first reading. His opponents “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke,” and so they slandered him, eventually resorting to silencing him through putting him to death. In death, however, his story came to be immortalized, his words finding a wider audience than anyone could have imagined.
When we trust in God and proclaim his Good News, there will be those who “cannot withstand it,” and who thus seek to silence us by other means. But we shouldn’t be dismayed by this, even should we be asked to pay the same price that Stephen paid. God will supply the words. Are we willing to ask him for the courage?
Do we trust the Lord to inspire us when we're unsure how to defend the Faith?
Lord, grant us the wisdom to witness as St Stephen did, and the courage to not fear the world's reprisals.
Today’s Reflection is by:
Donald Amodeo
Did you know...
Deacon Donald Amodeo is a transitional deacon for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. He was ordained on April 17th and, God-willing will be ordained to the priesthood in May 2022. Author of the afterlife adventure "Dead & Godless," Don is an avid reader and a fan of apologetics, coffee, and cast-iron skillets. His home parish is St. Mary Catholic Church in Tampa.
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