First Reading

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 

Acts 6, 8-10; 7, 54-60

In those days, Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. Some Jews from the synagogue called «of the Freedmen», from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia, began to argue with Stephen; but they could not refute the inspired wisdom with which he spoke. When they heard these things, the members of the Sanhedrin were furious and gnashed their teeth in rage against him.

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus, who was standing at the right hand of God, and said: «I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God».

Then the members of the Sanhedrin shouted loudly, covered their ears and all together rushed at him. They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. The false witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.

While they were stoning him, Stephen repeated this prayer: «Lord Jesus, receive my spirit». Then he fell to his knees and said in a loud voice: «Lord, do not hold this sin against them». Saying this, he fell asleep in the Lord.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 10, 17-22

In that time, Jesus said to his apostles: «Beware of people, for they will hand you over to the courts, they will flog you in the synagogues, they will bring you before governors and kings on my account; thus you will bear witness to me before them and before the Gentiles. But when they hand you over, do not worry about what you are to say or how to say it, for in that moment you will be given what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death; all will hate you because of me, but whoever perseveres to the end will be saved».