In this octave of Christmas, the first Christian sanctified by persecution is the young Stephen.
The liturgy proposes a passage from Matthew in this regard.
In it, Jesus invites us to be courageous witnesses, knowing that, brought before the tribunals of men, the Spirit will speak in every believer devoted to the Gospel.
Francis of Assisi experienced in his life, renewed by Christ, the sting of persecution, extended to his brothers in the name of the Word lived to the letter.
In the Sources we read:
"People of high and modest condition mocked and maligned them, even to the point of stripping them of their miserable garments.
The servants of God remained naked because, according to the evangelical ideal, they wore nothing but that one piece of clothing, and moreover they did not ask for the restitution of what was taken from them [...].
Some threw mud on them; others put dice in their hands, inviting them to play; still others, grabbing them from behind by the hood, dragged them on their backs.
These and other such wickednesses were inflicted on them, because they were thought to be such mean beings, that they could be scrambled at will.
Together with hunger and thirst, with cold and nakedness, they endured tribulations and sufferings of all kinds.
But they bore it all with imperturbable patience, according to the admonition of Francis, without allowing themselves to be brought down by sadness or wounded by resentment, without speaking ill of those who afflicted them.
On the contrary, as perfect evangelical men, placed in the occasion of making great spiritual gains, they exulted in the Lord, considering it a happiness to be exposed to such trials and hardships; and, faithful to the Word of the Gospel, they prayed solicitously and fervently for their persecutors" (FF 1444).
Francis, like Stephen, considered persecution to be the sister of poverty and the virtuous crowning of a life dedicated to God without sparing.
Regarding it we find in the Sources, in the Legend of St Clare, how relatives rushed to the monastery to bring home Agnes, Clare's sister, intent on following her on this new journey of faith.
"Hurry up and come home with us!"
But she replies that she does not want to be separated from her sister Clare: then a cruel-hearted knight rushes at her and, sparing no punches and kicks, tries to drag her away by the hair, while the others push and lift her by the arms.
At this the young girl cries out, as she is torn from the hand of the Lord, as if by lions:
"Help me, dearest sister, and do not let me be taken away from Christ the Lord!" "(FF 3205).
But Clare's powerful prayer and her determination got the better of the bullies.
"While they turned away in bitterness at the failure of the undertaking, Agnes got up again joyfully and, now enjoying the cross of Christ, for whom she had fought in this first battle, she gave herself up for ever to divine service" (FF 3206).
Whoever perseveres in his evangelical journey will be saved.
"And you will be hated by all because of my name. But whoever perseveres to the end, he will be saved" (Mt 10:22).
Eighth of Christmas. St Stephen (Mt 10,17-22)
