We have only just celebrated the birth of our Lord and already the
liturgy presents us with the feast of the first person to give his life
for this Baby who has been born. Yesterday we wrapped Christ in
swaddling clothes; today, he clothes Stephen with the garment of
immortality. Yesterday, a narrow manger cradled the baby Christ; today,
the infinite heaven has received Stephen in triumph. (St. Fulgentius,
Sermon 3)
The Church wants to make us realize that the Cross is always very close
to Jesus and his followers. As he struggles for perfect righteousness -
sanctity - in this world, the Christian will meet perfect situations and
attacks by the enemies of God. Our Lord has warned us: If the world
hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you ... Remember
the word that I said to you; a servant is not greater than his master:
If they persecuted me they will persecute you. (John 15:18-20) Since
the very beginning of the Church this prophecy has been fulfilled. And
in our days too, if we really follow Our Lord, we are going to suffer
difficulties and persecutions in one way or another and of different
kinds. Every age is an age of martyrdom, St. Augustine tells us. Don't
say that Christians are not suffering persecution; the Apostle's words
are always true ...: All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus
will be persecuted. (2 Tim 3:12) All, he says, with no one
being excluded or exempted. If you want to test the truth of this
saying, you have only to begin to lead a pious life and you will see
what good reason he had for saying this. (St. Augustine, Sermon 6, 2)
In Conversation with God: Advent and Christmastide
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