December 26, 2025 Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr
Daily Readings: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Matthew 10:17-22
Children of God: The Indian movie “The Face of the Faceless” tells the true story of Sister Rani Maria, a Franciscan Clarist nun who gave her life in service to the poor of rural India. Her work for justice and human dignity angered some landowners, and in 1995, she was brutally killed on her way to Kerala for a vacation. But her story did not end with hatred. Though devastated, Sister Rani’s family forgave her killer, even embracing him as a brother in Christ. That act of forgiveness transformed both their lives. Sister Rani Maria’s witness reminds us that Christian courage is not about fighting back—it is about loving without limits.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, “You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). He prepares His disciples for a difficult truth: to follow Him means to face rejection, persecution, and misunderstanding. But He also promises the gift of the Spirit, who will give strength and words to those who stand firm in faith. True discipleship is not about comfort but conviction—about standing for what is right even when the cost is high.
This same spirit of courage filled Saint Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. In the Acts of the Apostles, we read how Stephen, filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed Christ before the Sanhedrin. As he was being stoned to death, he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Like Sister Rani Maria, Stephen responded to violence with forgiveness, turning his final breath into a prayer of mercy. Both witnesses show us that Christian courage is not fueled by anger but by love that conquers fear.
In our time, we too are called to be witnesses—maybe not through blood, but through everyday acts of truth, compassion, and integrity. When we speak the truth with kindness, defend the voiceless, or forgive those who wrong us, we continue the legacy of Stephen and Sister Rani Maria. The world may not always understand our faith, but God sees and blesses the courage that stands firm in love.
Children of God: Let us pray for the grace to be brave disciples of Jesus, ready to witness to His truth with love, even when it is difficult. May the examples of Saint Stephen and Sister Rani Maria inspire us to forgive boldly, love deeply, and endure faithfully.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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