140.Friday: Stephen’s Holiness Conquered Hatred: From Saul to Paul
Acts 7:58 says that the witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul of Tarsus. In Acts 7:60, Saint Stephen fell to his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them,” and then fell asleep.
Saul witnessed the glory of God revealed in Saint Stephen’s final moments—his courage, forgiveness, peace, and union with Christ. This became a seed that invited Saul’s later conversion.
The blood of martyrs has often become a cause of conversion. In this case, it was not a small conversion, but the conversion of one of the greatest sons of the Church.
Acts 8:1 says Saul was consenting to Stephen’s execution. Acts 8:3 says Saul tried to destroy the Church, entering house after house, dragging out men and women, and handing them over for imprisonment.
Yet in Acts 9:4, the risen Christ confronted him: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Then in Acts 9:18, he rose and was baptized, and soon began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues as the Son of God.
This reveals a deep mystery: hatred can witness holiness, resist it for a time, yet still be conquered by grace. The mercy Stephen prayed for may have borne fruit in Saul’s conversion.
John 6:53 says, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.” And John 6:56 says, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”
To remain with Jesus is the call: to share in the sonship of God, to bear the fruits of the Kingdom of God, and to receive eternal life.
“Eat my flesh and drink my blood” is lived through sacramental life in the Catholic Church, especially by embracing a faithful and fundamental Catholic life rooted in grace.
To live a fundamental Catholic life:
Be baptized in the Catholic faith and live a sacramental life, receiving the blessings of Christ through the Church.
Pray the Rosary daily to grow in relationship with Mother Mary and receive her maternal help.
Read Sacred Scripture and learn how the Word of God shaped the lives of the saints.
Seek blessings through the intercession of the saints and cultivate friendship with them.
Participate in the community and engage in charitable works, so blessings may be shared with others.
ChristusWay daily reflections help people know the truths that lead to harmony. An awakened awareness of Catholic life helps a person embrace the power of grace and shine the life of Christ more fully.
Saint Stephen’s martyrdom reflected this Eucharistic union. Christ lived in him, and he remained in Christ even unto death. What Saul witnessed was not only a dying man, but the life of Christ shining through a faithful disciple.
ChristusWay with the Rosary helps transform inner confusion into harmony, guiding the heart toward peace, clarity, and strength in Christ. Through daily reflection and faithful prayer, it helps a person overcome restless habits and grow in grace, purpose, and spiritual stability.