The day after Christmas is the feast day of Stephen. Stephen was a Greek speaking Jew. As the earliest Christian community grew, he was chosen to serve at tables so that the Apostles could continue to preach and pray. Stephen did more than serve; he spoke clearly about his faith. Stephen argued that Jesus was the Messiah and the authorities (who should have known better) were responsible for the death of the one who God had chosen. In turn, Stephen becomes the first martyr, praying for those who are killing him as he did so. You can read about Stephen in Acts 6 and 7

Y diwrnod ar ôl y Nadolig yw diwrnod gwledd Stephen. Iddew oedd yn siarad Groeg oedd Stephen. Wrth i’r gymuned Gristnogol gynharaf dyfu, roedd o’n dewiswyd i wasanaethu wrth fyrddau fel y gallai’r Apostolion barhau i bregethu a gweddïo. Gwnaeth Stephen fwy na gwasanaethu; siaradodd yn glir am ei ffydd. Dadleuodd Stephen mai Iesu oedd y Meseia ac roedd yr awdurdodau (a ddylai fod wedi gwybod yn well) yn gyfrifol am farwolaeth yr un a ddewisodd Duw. Yn ei dro, Stephen fydd y merthyr cyntaf, gan weddïo dros y rhai sy’n ei ladd wrth iddo wneud hynny. Gallwch ddarllen am Stephen yn Actau 6 and 7

Acts 7 is a comprehensive account of the history of God and God’s relationship with his people. Stephen’s speech must have taken great courage. Stephen would have been aware that he was on trial for his life, and those listening were not predisposed to his arguments. The contours of his speech are simple: God chooses and embraces, and those chosen often walked away. Stephen begins with Abraham. This is something Paul will do particularly in his letters to Galatians and the Romans. (Paul was there when Stephen died).

Mae Actau 7 yn adroddiad cynhwysfawr o hanes Duw a pherthynas Duw â’i bobl. Rhaid bod araith Stephen wedi cymryd dewrder mawr. Byddai Stephen wedi bod yn ymwybodol ei fod ar brawf am ei fywyd, ac nid oedd y rhai oedd yn gwrando yn dueddol o’i ddadleuon. Mae cyfuchliniau ei araith yn syml: mae Duw yn dewis ac yn cofleidio, ac mae’r rhai a ddewisir yn aml yn cerdded i ffwrdd. Mae Stephen yn dechrau gydag Abraham. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth y bydd Paul yn ei wneud yn arbennig yn ei lythyrau at Galatiaid a’r Rhufeiniaid. (Roedd Paul yno pan fu farw Stephen).

Why not spend some time today looking at this chapter? The experience of Jesus caused his earliest followers to rethink their own history. That cannot have been easy. It is a human trait not to want to do this. I wonder what parts of our traditions would Jesus ask us to change: how resistant would you be to doing so.

Beth am dreulio peth amser heddiw yn ddarllen ar y bennod hon? Achosodd profiad Iesu i’w ddilynwyr cynharaf ailfeddwl am eu hanes eu hunain. Ni all hynny fod wedi bod yn hawdd. Mae’n nodwedd ddynol i beidio â bod eisiau gwneud hyn. Tybed pa rannau o’n traddodiadau y byddai Iesu’n gofyn inni eu newid: pa mor gwrthsefyll fyddech chi i wneud hynny.