How many of us are willing to put our lives in danger, or even face death, to uphold the truth? Sometimes we come across wrongdoings, slander, rampant bribery, corruption, crimes being committed, exploitation and enslavement among the weak, the poor and the migrants, and many other heinous acts being committed around us. Are we willing to do all we can to uphold the truth, even if it means that we could end up being ridiculed, persecuted, imprisoned or even murdered or assassinated? Or are we more interested in preserving our lives, afraid or reluctant to get involved, and look the other way?
In today’s reading, Stephen said some hard facts and truths to the people, the elders and the scribes which caused them to react in this way: “They were infuriated when they heard this, and ground their teeth at him.” But Stephen did not back down or change his stance over the matter, he held his ground and the more he said, the more antagonised the people, the elders and the scribes became, leading to Stephen being sent out of the city and stoned to death. What was Stephen’s response to all this? He merely followed what Jesus did on the cross: “‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and said aloud, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.'”
It has been said that for evil men to accomplish their purpose it is only necessary that good men should do nothing. Are we willing to sacrifice ourselves and be bearers of truth, justice and fairness? Or are we only interested in saving our own skin? Let us choose our conduct wisely, for the consequences of our actions is far reaching, and our eternal future is at stake.