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Skriven 2007-01-10 23:36:08 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

ST. STEPHEN CHARITABLE COMMITMENT AND EVANGELIZATION

VATICAN CITY, JAN 10, 2007 (VIS) - In this morning's general audience, held in
the Paul VI Hall in the presence of 7,000 people, Benedict XVI dedicated his
catechesis to the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen.

"St. Stephen," said the Pope, "is the most representative figure of a group of
seven companions," who concerned themselves with charitably serving the needs
of members of the Christian community, whether of Jewish or of Greek origin.

"Tradition sees in this group the origins of the future ministry of deacons,"
upon whom the Apostles "laid their hands," a gesture that in the Old Testament
"has above all the significance of transmitting an important task," said the
Pope.

"That this was an important action, to be undertaken following due discernment,
becomes clear from a reading of the First Letter of Paul to Timothy: 'Do not be
hasty in laying on of hands, nor participate in another man's sins'."

"Apart from his charitable service," the Pope continued, "Stephen also carried
out evangelizing activity among his countrymen, the so-called 'Hellenists'." To
them "he reread the Old Testament in the light of the announcement, death and
resurrection of Jesus." This rereading "provoked the reaction of the Jews who
perceived his words as blasphemy."

Stephen "shows that the mystery of the cross lies at the center of the history
of salvation," and that "the cult of the temple is finished" because the Risen
Christ "is the new and true 'temple.' It was precisely this 'no' to the temple"
that led to his death sentence and martyrdom. After his stoning, the group of
Jewish and Hellenic Christians fled Jerusalem "and became itinerant
missionaries. ... Persecution and consequent dispersion became mission."

The Holy Father explained how the story of St. Stephen reminds us that "social
commitment to charity can never be disassociated from the courageous
announcement of the faith." With charity, the first martyr "announced the
crucified Christ, even to the point of accepting martyrdom."

"The cross remains central in the life of the Church as well as in our private
lives. In the history of the Church, passion and persecution will never be
lacking," said Pope Benedict, but, "in the famous phrase of Tertullian, ... 'we
multiply every time we are cut down by you.' The blood of Christians is a
seed."

"In our own lives too, the cross, which will never be lacking, becomes a
blessing," he concluded. "And accepting the cross, knowing that is it is and
becomes a blessing, we learn the joy of being Christian, even in moments of
difficulty."
AG/ST. STEPHEN/...VIS 070110 (440)

SUMMARY

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