Forgiveness has the power to change the world.

(Listen to my song “Radically Okay” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Acts 7:58-60

They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. 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.”

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This is the story of the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen.

Note that Saul was there condoning the brutality.

It’s the same old story that continues to this day: doing violence in the name of God.

Getting rid of the person you disagree with.

It’s exactly the “scapegoating” that Jesus tried to show us was so horribly wrong.

The People killing Stephen thought they were doing something good.

Hard to believe…but to this day many still do harm to other people thinking it’s in the name of God…whether it be ostracizing or literally doing bodily harm.

Stephen reflected Jesus in his ultimate act of forgiveness.

I’m sure this act of Stephen later had a powerful impact on Saul as he was transformed into one of the greatest followers of Christ known as St. Paul.

May each of us plant similar seeds of forgiveness and never resort to violence.

And may each of us be an example of the radical unconditional love of God.

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Listen to the song of the day “Radically Okay” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on iTunes by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!