April 22, 2026 // Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s First Reading: Acts 8:1b-8

Reflect on the Word //

The bells in the gable clinged and clanged. The ringing sounds drew our gaze upwards to the Assisi skies, where the Crucifix, perched atop Santo Stefano church, beckoned for us. We turned a corner and descended the Umbrian steps, inspired to enter and led to pray. Walking into the Church and proceeding down the long center aisle, we found a wooden bench to sit on. One of my sisters excitedly turned to the rest of the group, proclaiming her love for Saint Stephen. She went on to recount the profound story that Stephen’s death was met with great reverence by our Lord, Who rose from the throne of grace to welcome His first martyr into eternity.   

As the people buried Stephen and lamented in today’s First Reading, he was being welcomed into the halls of Heaven by the Son of God. Meditating on his entrance into the heavenly banquet, I imagined Jesus bestowing him with the crown of martyrdom. There was a profound sense of Stephen’s joy in that moment. He was consumed with zeal for the House of the Lord and was given the gift of being able to testify to Christ the Way, the Truth, and the Life with his own life. The witness of Stephen’s life and death galvanized the early Church to preach the word and proclaim Christ to the world. Saint Stephen galvanizes me to do the same. His witness rouses me to remember that the way of the disciple demands the entire gift of ourselves, not to our detriment but for our good. In this total surrender and preoccupation with the Glory of the Lord, our lives become a living yes to the One Who Loves us and awaits us. 

Saint Stephen reminds each of us that we are made to live in the gaze of Christ, where our eyes remain fixed on Heaven as we travail through this valley of tears. His witness strengthens us, calling to mind that death does not have the final word and that we are longed for in that place where there is “great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8). 

Relate to the Lord // How can you say yes to Jesus today?