Sun. May 22, 2011 (Morgan Tipton)

Morgan Tipton spoke about Stephen, the first Christian martyr. She noted that there are days when we do everything right (Stephen preached the gospel) and yet feel victimized. This feeling is likely based on thinking that we are the centre of the universe. “When things go well, I can see God in my neighbour,” she said. Things went well for Stephen when he preached the first Christian apologetic sermon and was stoned to death by the zealous Pharisees. Morgan acknowledged the Pharisees good intentions – to bring in God’s reign by intense study of the Torah. Saul, an observer at the stoning, subsequently developed a new relationship with God through his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He then stepped aside from his Pharisaical ministry for 13 years and came back as the Paul we know in the New Testament. The story of Stephen reminds us that our faith will also be tested, perhaps not in such an extreme way, but when we challenge authorities, face hostile people, or how we treat people who anger us. (HN)

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