Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe On Saint Stephen the Martyr
Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our
eternal King. Today we celebrate
the triumphant suffering of his soldier. Yesterday our king, clothed in his robe
of flesh, left his place in the virgin’s womb and graciously visited the world.
Today his soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to
heaven.
Our king, despite his exalted majesty, came in
humility for our sake; yet he did not come empty-handed. He gave of his bounty,
yet without any loss to himself. In a marvelous way he changed into wealth the poverty of his faithful
followers while remaining in full possession of his own inexhaustible riches.
And so the love that brought Christ from heaven to earth raised Stephen from
earth to heaven; shown first in the king, it later shone forth in his soldier.
His love of God kept him from yielding to the ferocious mob; his love for his
neighbor made him pray for those
who were stoning him. Love inspired him to reprove those who erred, to make them
amend; love led him to pray for those who stoned him, to save them from
punishment.
Love, indeed, is the source of all good things; it
is an impregnable defense, and the way that leads to heaven. He who walks in
love can neither go astray nor be afraid: love guides him, protects him, and
brings him to his journey’s end.
My brothers, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all
Christians to climb to heaven.
Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof
of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together.
--
Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe from a sermon
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