Angelus of the Pope: “like Saint Stephen, let’s change history”

Mireia Bonilla – Vatican City

This midday, the Pontiff showed the figure of Saint Stephen, whom the Catholic Church celebrates today, to invite us to follow his courageous example of responding to evil with good:

“Today we see testimony of jesus, Saint Stephen, who shines in darkness. He was falsely accused and brutally stoned, but in the darkness of hatred he shines the light of Jesus: he prays for those who kill him and he forgives them. He is the first martyr, that is to say a witness, the first of a great multitude of brothers and sisters who continue to bring light to darkness: people who respond to evil with good, who do not give in to violence and lies, but which break the spiral of hatred with the sweetness of love ”.

Showing this example, Francis invites us today to be witnesses of Christ and tells us the key to being so: “Imitate Jesus” and “take the light of Jesus”. Like Saint Stephen, who became a deacon, that is to say a servant, and served the poor at table, trying to imitate the Lord every day and did so until the end.

What is the use of praying and forgiving?

The Pope then stopped on a series of questions to make us think: are these testimonies of goodness really necessary when evil spreads in the world? What is the use of praying and forgiving? Just to give a good example?

The Pontiff’s response is clear: “No, it’s much more”. The Pope recalled the Word of the day to answer these questions: “Among those for whom Esteban prayed and those who forgave, there was, says the text,“ a young man named Saul ”who“ approved of his death ”. Soon after, by the grace of God, Saul was converted and became Paul, the greatest missionary in history. Paul was born by the grace of God, but by the forgiveness of Stephen. This is the seed of his conversion ”. “This is proof – he emphasizes – that gestures of love change history: even small, hidden, everyday. Because God guides history through the humble courage of those who pray, love and forgive ”.

Like Saint Stephen, let’s change history

This example of Saul’s conversion to Paul is also valid for us. Francis explains today that the Lord “wants us to make life an extraordinary work through the actions of each day”. Remember also that we are called to be witnesses of Jesus “where we live, with families, at work, everywhere”, but how? “Even if this only gives the light of a smile and shuns the shadow of gossip and gossip”, says the Pope and emphasizes: “if we see something that is not right, instead of criticizing, gossiping and complain, we They were wrong and because of this predicament. And when an argument arises at home, instead of trying to win, let’s try to resolve; and start over every time, forgive those who we have offended ”.

Let us not forget that Saint Stephen, while receiving the stones of hatred, gave words of forgiveness. “This is how history changed,” says the Pope. Finally, he underlines his invitation to pray today for those who suffer persecution for the name of Jesus: “Unfortunately, there are many. We entrust our brothers and sisters to Our Lady, who respond to oppression with gentleness and, as true witnesses of Jesus, overcome evil with good ”.

The Pope appreciates the messages received these days

After the Angelus, the Holy Father expressed his desire that “the joyous atmosphere of Christmas, which today continues and still fills our hearts, awakens in everyone the desire to contemplate Jesus in the manger, then to serve him and to love it in the people around us. “In addition, he thanked the greeting messages he received from Rome and other parts of the world:” It is impossible to respond to everyone, but I take this and I now express my gratitude, in particular for the gift of prayer, which you do for me and which I correspond to you with pleasure ”.