Thursday, April 11, 2013
Accusation against Stephen
Dear Friends,
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (6:8-15):
Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. Then they instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, accosted him, seized him, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They presented false witnesses who testified,
“This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law. For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”
All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
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I celebrate every day Holy Mass and I pray my breviary every day following the different hours. I always pray my rosary for many intentions including praying for the sick and the conversion of all who do not believe in Our Savior and Lord. I never forget to pray my divine mercy chaplet, which is very special to me. Besides all this I spent time in contemplative prayer. We all need to have an intense prayer life so we can remain close to Jesus and Our Blessed Mother.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord, the Son of God, given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“There are always people who present false witnesses against us, but do not be afraid My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who have given your life to Me completely. Just follow Me every day and I will show these people that they are wrong and just speaking falsehood. Look at our great friend, St. Stephen, the deacon. He was a holy man who was not afraid to speak about Me. Yet many presented false witnesses against him and the members of the Sanhedrin believed the lies they were told. Satan always wants to put down people by getting his partners to tell all kinds of lies. At the end Stephen died a martyr like Me. He is now in heaven with Me after being a great witness for Me without any fear. Come My dear friends and stand up for what you believe. I will bless you indeed with many graces and give you many gifts too. I love you all.”
Father Melvin