Reflection for December 26

Reading - Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59

Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr

When I hear the name St. Stephen, I immediately think of the Grateful Dead song. It seems odd to go there for a reflection, but the opening verse is right on point.

Saint Stephen with a rose In and out of the garden he goes Country garden in the wind and the rain Wherever he goes the people all complain

The “people” in the song and the reading don’t want to hear truth and would rather hear only what supports their own positions of strength and power. Common examples exist in our world every day, including in China the forbidding of any mention of the Tiananmen Square Massacre or in Russia any reference to a war with Ukraine. For these we use terms like “don’t rock the boat,” or “toe the line.”

The St. Stephens in our world speak truth to power at the risk of their own well-being. The brave martyrs of our lifetime such as Mother Theresa, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or the employee who reports harassment or unsafe or illegal practices in the workplace are examples. Our challenge is to speak up when it is right to do so and to rock the boat when necessary.

St. Stephen had the courage to profess truth regardless of the danger to himself. As we head toward a new year and new challenges, I hope I can emulate St. Stephen’s bravery in at least some small way.

Dave Kenna