In today’s first reading from Acts 6, we read about the persecution of Stephen. In the Gospel, we continue in John 6. Today’s passage is the beginning of the Bread of Life discourse. The people come looking for Jesus after He had fed the multitude.
Stephen had been hauled before the Sanhedrin, the high court of the Jews, for working signs and wonders and preaching in Jesus’ name. False witnesses were dragged out to testify against him. This must have been a very stressful time. But today’s reading tells us that those in the Sanhedrin “saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”
We may think of someone with the “face of an angel” as being attractive or cute, like a baby. I have no idea about Stephen’s physical attractiveness, but I’m pretty sure this meant something else. I believe he had complete peace and confidence, even in the most stressful of situations. His countenance shone with the peace of Christ. Does yours? Will you show the world the face of an angel today?
Father, fill us with your peace, that our face may show others the face of an angel today. Amen.
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