Words Made Flesh: Christian Service Is Based in Faith

A message especially for youth and young adults, and their ministers:

"In Sunday's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (6:1-7), we learn that ... the essential function of the Twelve (6:2-4) is the 'service of the word,' including ... formulation of the teachings of Jesus. In Verse 2 we read: 'It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.'... At the Apostles' invitation the disciples chose seven men: 'Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus. The Apostles prayed over them and laid their hands upon them' (6:5-6).

"The real purpose of this whole episode is to introduce Stephen as a prominent figure in the community whose long speech and martyrdom will be recounted in Acts 7. After Stephen and the others are chosen, they are never presented carrying out the task for which they were appointed (6:2-3). Rather, two of their number, Stephen and Philip, are presented as preachers of the Christian message. ...

"Let us remember that in addition to charitable work, Stephen carried out the work of evangelization.... Stephen, 'full of grace and power' (6:8), presented in Jesus' Name a new interpretation of Moses and of God's Law itself. Stephen reread the Old Testament in the light of the proclamation of Christ's death and resurrection.

"One of the powerful lessons we learn from Stephen's witness is that charitable social works must never be separated from the bold, explicit and courageous proclamation of the faith.
There is no question that Stephen was one of the seven entrusted with the works of charity. But it was impossible to separate charity and faith. Thus, with charity, he proclaimed the crucified Christ, even unto his own martyrdom. Charity and the proclamation of faith always go hand in hand."

For Fr. Rosica's commentary on the other readings from this Sunday, click here.

Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB is CEO of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and Television Network in Canada. He is a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and writes a weekly commentary on the Sunday readings for Zenit.

*ZENIT is a non-profit international news agency comprising a team of professionals and volunteers who are convinced of the extraordinary richness of the Catholic Church's message, particularly its social doctrine. The ZENIT team sees this message as a light for understanding today's world.