The first martyr

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⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, ⁵⁶ And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. ⁵⁷ Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, ⁵⁸ And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. ⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. ⁶⁰ And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Reflect

December 26 is St Stephen's Day in Western churches; Eastern Orthodox churches remember him on December 27. Facing the stones, Stephen sees 'the Son of man standing on the right hand of God' and prays, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.'

Pray

Lord Jesus, give me Stephen's courage to stay faithful and his grace to forgive those who wrong me. Receive my spirit, today and always. Amen.