Our First Martyr

Tuesday's readings contained the passage from the Acts of the Apostles regarding how Stephen became the first Christian martyr. It just so happened that I was lector on Tuesday due to the usual lector's having to go to jury duty.

I have heard this story a number of times since joining my parish, which happens to be St. Stephen Protomartyr parish. Even before I decided to become Catholic, I had often thought to myself how vivid is this recollection of Stephen's martyrdom! Finally, I had an opportunity to read this passage aloud to the congregation -- what an honor!

St. Stephen was a man who was passionate about his faith in Jesus Christ and deeply troubled by the obstinance of his peers -- and was bold enough to voice his opinions and feelings about both. How can we find a way to incorporate some of that boldness into our lives today?

Of course, Stephen paid for his boldness with his life. Today, in this country, though not entirely unheard of, it is rare that a person will pay for unwelcome outspokenness with physical death. Rather, people -- especially those in the public arena -- often pay for their unpopular comments with a metaphoric execution in the media.

A case in point that is popular at this moment is Archbishop Burke's decision to resign from the Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center foundation's board of directors. The reason for his resignation is that an upcoming fundraiser includes a performance by Sheryl Crow, who is a firm believer in embryonic stem cell research. The Archbishop's position is that Crow "promotes moral evils" and he could not in good conscience support her inclusion in a fundraiser for a Catholic hospital.

My point in bringing this up is not to argue whether Archbishop Burke was right or wrong in his decision to resign, but to point out that his moral stance, and his stringent defense of it, is being publicly trashed by the media. Already an unpopular Archbishop, he has found himself in a very unpopular position and is yet again suffering a public "execution".

What is it about us today that we are so quick to pass judgment? Can no one see the point behind Archbishop Burke's position? Of course, another excellent position I heard on the story was (paraphrasing) "are we [at Cardinal Glennon] going to ask every nurse, doctor, employee, or volunteer whether their stances on moral issues align to Catholic teachings?"

What I would really like to see us, as a society, do more of is spend some time pondering and analyzing a situation from its different perspectives, rather than jump feet first into passing judgment on it and the parties involved. Of course, I am aware I am being an idealist and am also mindful that careful pondering does not make good television (radio, blogs, etc.). However, can we at least remember the example of Stephen's life and learn from his executioners -- so quick to judge, but yet how wrong they were!

Remembering, renewing

The most moving celebration I have encountered within the Catholic faith is the Easter Triduum. The three days -- Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday -- are a single, solemn, powerful, and ultimately, triumphant rememberance of Jesus' last supper, death, and resurrection.

Having converted to Catholicism Easter, 2006, this year was the first time I could participate as a Catholic in all the aspects of the Easter Triduum. For me, it is an intense and intimate time of prayer, remembrance, and in-depth introspection.

One of the most personal and humbling aspects of a Catholic celebration of Holy Thursday is foot-washing, which commemorates the foot-washing story from John's gospel. Experiencing this ritual firsthand was, in large part, responsible for my decision to become Catholic.

Remembering our Lord's passion, death, and resurrection these three holy days culminates in a renewal through the restatement and affirmation of our baptismal promises. I am so grateful to be able to remember my own baptism since I made my initial baptismal promises as an adult. So many memories from last year returned to me this Lent and these past few days, especially this evening, at the Easter Vigil celebration. I remember standing before the baptismal font as the water was poured into it and blessed by my pastor. I recalled bending at the waist over the font and my spiritual advisor pouring holy water over my head, reciting the words "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" in a silent church full of people -- purely one of the most energizing and electric moments of my entire life!

There are so many more memories that came to me this evening and these past days, but for me, what it all adds up to is I have found a deep and everlasting love in Jesus Christ, I remember that love he expressed for me on the Cross, and seek to ever-renew myself in that love.