The story of Stephen that we focus on this week is a difficult one. Persecution and death are still realities in some countries, for those who courageously speak out in the face of injustices. One wonders what impression his words of forgiveness, as he died, made on those who had stoned him.

Does this story inspire you to witness and lead a life of faithfulness?

How can we continue to witness and spread the story of good news Stephen died for?

What is our good stewardship for? Surely it is for far more than building or program maintenance. What if we were to think of all of our stewardship in terms of how it supports the making of ways? Ways for people to hear the Good News in terms that are meaningful for them? Ways for people to live full, truly human lives? What if our ways produced programs and projects that make new ways and clear out ancient ways? What if we were to ask: how are we using all of what we have to be way makers?

Our prayer for this week might be “In all our giving, in all we do, say, and are, may we be witnesses of God’s way. May we go out to share the good news of God’s love and God’s way. Amen.”