We have observed and celebrated the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord into heaven. The weeks of absorbing and meditation upon the Mystery of his cross and resurrection give way to the Mystery of us and the whole world affected by him. Christ’s return to his rightful place at the right hand of the Father is not an end but yet another, new beginning. From that place of glory the Holy Spirit will be sent to dwell within us as Jesus dwelt among us.
Stephen in today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles bears incredible violence for the sake of his witness to the person of Jesus and to the power of the Spirit at work in this world. He chose not only to see the cost at stake as something not to be avoided, but a cost truly woven into the balance of making his life in every way a gift to Christ. Even Saul, the instrument of this torture and execution will find himself reassessing the cost of serving God. Paul will have to measure his religious works according to the Law against the witness of Stephen, and against the call of the Risen Jesus who will appear to him. He will have to measure the self-righteousness and self importance of his persecution of the Lord’s followers. Will he be prepared to weave the possibility of being reviled and possibly losing his life as Stephen – all for Christ? Can the reason outweigh the cost? In the end it did.
Anything we take seriously enough to put into it our time, our sacrifice, our energy, our determination and creativity, can be worthy of the cost it requires. Anything we measure simply by its cost – either so great that NOTHING can make it worthwhile, or so great that, well, it MUST be worth it! Right?
With Christ, the great and true sacrifice finds our lives woven into his Mystery, undeterred by the cost, finding even there the glory that is his!