In our school history classes many of us will have studied stories about men and women and important events from near and far, people and events that have had an impact on society. The Acts of the Apostles is such a book from the bible.
There are many great stories in the Acts, stories about the people, customs and practices in the early Christian Church. Stephen is the first recorded Christian martyrdom and Stephen’s death led to a strengthening of the church rather than a decline which the authorities hoped for. The authorities on the death of Stephen began the great persecution of the Christian Church in Jerusalem.
Would we be brave to follow through our beliefs and loose our life, as we know it, for our faith? Today across the world there are people of faith in many countries who do this – they attend church and reach out in a Christian way to others and loose everything including in some cases their lives. One such person was Saint Oscar Romero from El Salvador who challenged the authorities, the wealthy and the powerful asking them to change their ways and policies so that the poor could have a better quality of life. In 1980 St Oscar Romero, an Archbishop, was shot dead whilst celebrating Mass.
St Stephen and St Oscar Romero both lost their lives (2000 years apart) because they were convinced following the teachings of Christ was the most important way to live.
The second reading today is from Apocalypse also called Revelation. This book was written by a Jewish Christian Prophet who was part of the early Christian Church in Asia Minor. The church at the time was being persecuted by the Romans.
The second reading is a passage of scripture that is called the Epilogue and Benediction because it contains the final comment and a blessing on what John (the writer) had seen in his visions and received as prophecy. Jesus confirms his second coming; the passage summarises who Jesus is and what we must do to be recognised as a follower of Jesus. Are we willing to take up the challenges we are asked to by Jesus?
In today’s Gospel Jesus is praying just before his betrayal and arrest. Jesus has already prayed for his friends and disciples; Jesus then prays for all of us his future disciples. Jesus wishes each of us to know not just him but the Father who sent him and to live our lives as Jesus lived his. Jesus prays that each of us will know and feel the love of our Father in Heaven and be willing to share our knowledge with others.
So, the three pieces of scripture are linked. Between them they inform us why Jesus came into the world; the hopes and aspirations our Father in Heaven has for us; that we will never be left alone; we will always be loved and when the time comes Jesus will once again be amongst us as a living human being. The readings also allow us to see that living out our faith might not be easy. However, the positive relationship we should have with Jesus and our Father in Heaven, also allowing the Holy Spirit into our lives should give us all the love and nourishment we need to live out our lives as we are asked to – even in the difficult times and when the going gets tough.
