Stephen was an ordinary man, who was filled with the extraordinary love, wisdom, and power of the Spirit of God. In this love and power, he was able to share good news with many. When he was confronted with those who were angered and threatened by the way of Jesus, the Spirit gave Stephen the words to retell the Story of their faith, and show how Jesus was the culmination of that Story. And when those same people were outraged by this story and began to murder Stephen, the Spirit gave Stephen a peace and strength allowing him to suffer in the same manner as Jesus — so that he would also share in his glory.
Today, we are invited into this same Story, to be filled by the same Spirit, to share in both the same suffering and glory.