Episode 233: Look up!
The Rev. Dr. Alix Pridgen
In this episode, we enter the dramatic story of Stephen standing before the Sanhedrin in Acts 7—a young man with no power, no protection, and yet a vision strong enough to face violence without surrendering to fear. Drawing on both Scripture and stories from the Black experience in the Jim Crow South, this sermon reflects on what it means to “lift our eyes” in a world constantly demanding our attention, outrage, and anxiety.
Stephen’s final witness becomes an invitation for all of us: not to deny suffering or pretend the world is safe, but to keep looking for Christ standing beside us—in moments of courage, mercy, companionship, and grace. As confirmation students prepare to affirm their faith, we pray for “Stephen’s eyes”: eyes able to recognize the presence of Jesus in ordinary life, and hearts strengthened to keep witnessing to love, hope, and mercy no matter what comes.