The Christian Life can be summed up in two words: “Imitate Jesus.” Of course, we are to imitate Jesus as we live out our day-to-day lives. But we can also imitate him in death, as did St Stephen.

In today’s first reading from Mass, we hear, as St Stephen is being executed:

‘As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep.’

Let us see that in his death, St. Stephen imitated Jesus, in what he spoke. Two of the seven “Words” that Jesus spoke from the Cross are: (1) “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46); and (2) “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Whether or not we will actually quote Jesus at the moment of our death remains to be determined. However, we can search through Scripture and see how Jesus acted and reacted in various circumstances, and through the grace of the Holy Spirit incorporate what we see Jesus do into our lives.

Imitate Jesus.