Feast of St Stephen, First Martyr
12/26/2025 (Friday) Today’s Gospel reading: Matthew 10:17-22
Jesus said to his disciples:
17 “Beware of men, for they will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues.
18 and you shall be brought before governors, and before kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles:
19 But when they hand you over, do not choose to think about how or what to speak. For what to speak shall be given to you in that hour.
20 For it is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, who will speak in you.
21 And brother will hand over brother to death, and father will hand over son. And children will rise up against parents and bring about their deaths.
22 And you will be hated by all for the sake of my name. But whoever will have persevered, even to the end, the same shall be saved.
12/26/2025 (Friday) Today’s Gospel reflection / homily / sermon: Matthew 10:17-22
Following what is true and good is not always easy. Jesus speaks honestly about the cost of discipleship. He does not promise comfort, applause, or a trouble-free life. Instead, He prepares His followers for resistance, misunderstanding, and even rejection, sometimes from the very people they expect to support them. Yet, woven into this challenging message is a deeper promise: God’s presence will never abandon those who remain faithful.
In our modern world, we may not face the same situations as the early disciples, but the struggle remains real. Choosing honesty in a culture that rewards shortcuts can isolate us. Standing for compassion in a climate of anger can make us targets of criticism. Living our faith openly in workplaces, schools, or even within families can lead to mockery or quiet exclusion. When this happens, it is tempting to stay silent, to blend in, or to compromise our values just to avoid conflict.
But Jesus invites us to a deeper courage, one rooted not in self-confidence but in trust. He reminds His followers that when they feel weak, uncertain, or unprepared, God Himself will speak through them. This is a powerful assurance: we are not expected to rely solely on our own wisdom or strength. When we act with integrity, kindness, and truth, God is at work within us, giving us the words, the patience, and the grace we need.
One of the most painful realities Jesus names is division within families. This is not meant to glorify conflict, but to acknowledge a hard truth: commitment to what is right can sometimes expose deep differences in values. Many people today know this pain: when faith choices, moral convictions, or calls to serve others are misunderstood by loved ones. In these moments, Jesus does not dismiss the hurt. Instead, He assures us that our faithfulness matters, even when it costs us dearly.
The heart of this passage is endurance. Jesus does not say that those who start the journey will automatically succeed, but that those who remain faithful to the end will find true life. Endurance here does not mean stubbornness or aggression. It means staying rooted in love when hatred surrounds us, choosing forgiveness when bitterness feels easier, and trusting God when the path ahead is unclear.
This endurance is built day by day. It grows when we pray even when answers seem delayed, when we do good without recognition, and when we choose hope instead of despair. It is strengthened when we remember that God sees every quiet act of faithfulness, every moment we choose integrity over convenience, every time we speak truth with humility, every sacrifice made out of love.
The Gospel reading above challenges us to be realistic about the cost of discipleship, but it also fills us with hope. We are not alone. God walks with us through every trial, shaping our character and deepening our trust. The struggles we face do not define us; our response to them does.
May we find courage in knowing that faith tested is faith refined. And may we remain steadfast, trusting that every step taken in faith, no matter how difficult, is held securely in God’s faithful hands.
Go here to read further Gospel reflection.
