In Jerusalem at the time of Christ, some Jewish people spoke Greek, others spoke Aramaic, and each group went to its own synagogue. The apostles were among those who spoke Aramaic. Today's reading tells of a debate in the Greek-speaking synagogue between devout Jews and Stephen, a Christian deacon. The debate turned bitter and ended in Stephen's martyrdom.
When you read the writings of the early Church, it's striking that they were convinced the difficult things happening in their lives were somehow part of God's plan - not necessarily that God triggered them all, but that God was using whatever happened to bring about something good.
Stephen's martyrdom (which we celebrate today) and the ensuing persecution in Jerusalem might be an example. Stephen and other Christians were killed, yet God made something good come from it.
Sometimes, there may be moments when for a fleeting second you think that maybe there's no God. Maybe a tragedy that happens to an innocent person brings that thought into your mind.
That's a tough one. maybe when you're doing your very best and still encounter opposition and difficulties, God will bring magnificent things out of the struggles you face ... just as he did with St. Stephen.
- Little Blue Book, Diocese of Saginaw