The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
In the First Reading for this 7th and final Sunday of Easter, Stephen, a deacon of the early church, is filled with the Holy Spirit and sees Jesus in heaven as he is stoned to death. He asks Jesus to receive his spirit and forgive his killers. Known as the Protomartyr, Stephen is the first to die for his faith in Jesus. His execution is witnessed by Saul who later becomes St. Paul.
In other places, the Acts of the Apostles recounts the conversion of St. Paul, the dramatic moment when he is knocked to the ground, blinded and hears the voice of Jesus asking why Saul is persecuting him. We know that this moment is the point of climax in the conversion of St. Paul, but it is in his witnessing of the martyrdom that his evolution from persecutor to proclaimer is instigated.
Saul was watching that day, reminding us that you never know who is watching and how what they witness has the potential to be transformative. You never know who’s watching. You never know who’s witnessing your time when you’re going through struggles, when you’re suffering. We know that Stephen’s suffering had a profound impact on St. Paul who did not witness the sufferings of Jesus but witnessed Christ’s suffering in Stephen. Every time St. Paul talks about suffering, and every time he talks about how we have been crucified with Christ no longer, St. Paul remembers the suffering of Stephen. As St. Paul comes to know Christ, he remembers what he saw in Stephen, Christ living in him. I think it is safe to say that St. Paul could not get this scene out of his mind and out of his heart. Stephen was a living example of what it means to pick up your cross and follow Jesus.
Paul heard Stephen ask for forgiveness on his tormentors, just as Jesus did. What Steven said and did impacted St. Paul and started the ball rolling toward his conversion and his life as an apostle. Stephen’s example encourages us to stay faithful and forgiving, even in difficult times.
The experience of St. Paul encountering the martyrdom of St. Stephen is a profound reminder of the power of our example. If you’re going through a difficult time, you’re struggling, maybe physical pain or suffering, or maybe things just aren’t working out in your life this week, know that someone is watching. Whether it be your kids, your spouse, or colleagues at work, somebody is watching you live. Someone is witnessing Christ suffering in you. Someone is witnessing your compassion, patience, mercy and forgiveness. When you give witness to Christ in you, you are one with the Lord and in the work of bringing others to Him.
An historic moment is now upon us. The Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Eucharistic Congress occurs next week on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025 at St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington. The day will begin at 10:00 am and conclude at 5:30 pm. All are welcome for the entirety or portions of the day. The Congress will feature keynote talks, breakout sessions in multiple languages, Eucharistic Adoration, sacred music, confessions, and the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The schedule can be found here https://www.drvc.org/congress/schedule/.
The day is free, but registration is required. To register, go to https://www.drvc.org/congress/schedule/. You may also call 516-296-0092 or Email: congressexecutive@drvc.org.
In addition to the congress itself, there will be Eucharistic Pilgrimages taking place across the Diocese in the days leading up to the Congress beginning this weekend. The Western Route will journey from St. Agnes Cathedral (Rockville Centre) through Nassau County, while the Eastern Route will journey from the Parish of St. Therese of Lisieux (Montauk) through Suffolk County.
The Holy Eucharist will be carried in procession across the Diocese through many of our towns, schools, hospitals, cemeteries, and parishes. During this pilgrimage, there will be opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, the celebration of Mass, Eucharistic Catechesis, Praise and Worship, public processions, and other Eucharistic celebrations.
The People of God will be invited to walk with Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, pray in the pilgrim churches, and proclaim the Gospel to bystanders as Jesus passes through their towns as well as revival nights to accompany the pilgrimages.
All the information about the Eucharistic Congress, the processions and the revival nights can be found in the flyers in today’s bulletin or at drvc.org/congress.
Peace,
