UNSTOPPABLE

"This man never stops..." -Acts 6:13

St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr:
   * was "a man filled with grace and power" (Acts 6:8),
   * was full of the Holy Spirit and faith (Acts 6:5),
   * was so full of wisdom that the international all-star team of debaters "proved no match for the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke" (Acts 6:8-10),
   * lived so full a life that, even though he was commissioned to handle the time-consuming job of distributing food, he still found plenty of time to witness about Jesus,
   * "worked great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8),
   * evangelized so powerfully that the Jews rated him as a greater enemy than the twelve apostles, choosing him as the first Christian to be killed, and
   * focused so intently and lovingly on Jesus that even while hostile enemies sought his life, he radiated heavenly joy (Acts 6:15).

The false witnesses who testified against Stephen managed to speak one true statement: "This man never stops" (Acts 6:13). Like Stephen, may we be so full of the Holy Spirit that we never stop serving, loving, praising, and sharing the risen Jesus.

 Father, may I imitate Jesus with the attentiveness, faith, and devotion of St. Stephen.

 "You should not be working for perishable food but for food that remains unto life eternal, food which the Son of Man will give you." -Jn 6:27