Matthew 23:34-39
[Jesus said:] 34 “For this reason I send you prophets, sages, and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town, 35 so that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come upon this generation.
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you, desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”
How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
On December 26, while we’re all still basking in the glow of our Bacchanalian Christmas extravagances, the Church hits us with the story of Stephen, the first Christian martyr. It’s a disturbing reminder that little baby Jesus was born into this world to die for our salvation.
The Gospel lesson for St. Stephen’s Day is Jesus’ heartbreaking lament over Jerusalem: How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
St. Stephen’s day is a stark reminder that following Jesus costs us something. We’ve gazed into the manger at the transcendent beauty of God’s Word made flesh. May that encounter with the Divine lead us all into a desire to know Him better.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, from the day of your birth on, the powers of this world have feared and hated you. Thank you for the faithful witness of all the martyrs. May their sacrifice inspire us to greater service in Your Name. AMEN