Whilst Stephen was being put to death, a young man[1], named Saul[2], held the garments[3] of the murderers. But Stephen, falling on his knees[4], cried with a loud voice[5]: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge!”[6] When he had said these words, he expired[7].
COMMENTARY.
The Divinity of Jesus Christ. St. Stephen testified to our Lord’s Divinity in three ways: by his prayer, by his vision, and by his blood, i. He confessed Jesus to be his “Lord” or his God, and prayed to Him to receive his soul into heaven; and he prayed to Him also not to condemn his murderers, but to forgive them. 2. He declared that he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God in heaven. He was therefore an eye-witness of our Lord’s glory in heaven. 3. On account of this testimony he suffered a violent death, bearing witness with his own blood to the Divinity of Jesus, and being therefore a martyr for his faith. Being, moreover, the first disciple to give his life and blood for Jesus, he is known and venerated as the proto-martyr, or first martyr.
The Diaconate. The word “deacon” means minister or helper. The diaconate is a spiritual office, and is a stepping-stone to the priesthood; for a man must be a deacon before he can be a priest. We are told how the apostles ordained the deacons. The outward sign of their sacramental ordination was the imposition of hands, with prayer; and thereby the seven men received grace and authority to perform
- ↑ A young man. Under thirty years of age.
- ↑ Saul. Saul was among those who were carrying out the sentence of death. He was held in high esteem by the Jews on account of his fiery zeal for the Jewish faith, and he had agreed that Stephen ought to be stoned. He was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, in Asia Minor, and had come to Jerusalem to study and qualify as a scribe or doctor of the law. He was a disciple of Gamaliel, whose wise counsel was mentioned in the last chapter.
- ↑ The garments. They had taken off their upper garments to have more freedom in their movements.
- ↑ On his knees. Once more confessing his faith, he joyfully gave over his body to be killed, and commended bis immortal soul to the care of his Divine Saviour. “These men have rejected me; do Thou, O God, accept me!” (St. Augustine.)
- ↑ A loud voice. With supernatural strength.
- ↑ To their charge! The prayer of St. Stephen for his enemies was very pleasing to God, and some say that through this prayer Saul received, later on, the grace of conversion.
- ↑ Expired. “He fell asleep in the Lord.” He died in the love and grace of God. Gamaliel buried the body of the holy martyr on his own property.
