The ministry of mourning with others helps bring healing to our hearts.

与人同忧伤，让我们的心得医治。

Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. Acts 8:2

有虔诚的人把司提反埋葬了，为他捶胸大哭。-使徒行传8章2节

In 2002, a few months after my sister Martha and her husband, Jim, died in an accident, a friend invited me to a “Growing Through Grief” workshop at our church. I reluctantly agreed to attend the first session but had no intention of going back. To my surprise, I discovered a caring community of people trying to come to grips with a significant loss in their lives by seeking the help of God and others. It drew me back week after week as I worked toward acceptance and peace through the process of sharing our grief together.

在2002年，妹妹和妹夫意外丧生后几个月，朋友邀请我参加教会举办的“走过哀伤成长小组”。我虽不情愿，但仍然答应参加第一次聚会，而且也不打算去第二次。出乎意料之外，我发现小组的人互相关怀，大家都努力透过上帝和他人的帮助，面对失去至亲的伤痛。这个小组吸引我每星期都来参加，透过大家彼此分担各自的忧伤，我逐渐能接受亲人离世的事实，心中也有了平安。

Like the sudden loss of a loved one or friend, the death of Stephen, a dynamic witness for Jesus, brought shock and sorrow to those in the early church (Acts 7:57–60). In the face of persecution, “Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him” (8:2). These men of faith did two things together: They buried Stephen, an act of finality and loss. And they mourned deeply for him, a shared expression of their sorrow.

正如我们顿失挚友或至亲一般，司提反因热心为耶稣作见证而殉道，也让初代教会陷入惊恐和忧伤之中（使徒行传7章57-60节）。当他们面对逼迫时，“有虔诚的人把司提反埋葬了，为他捶胸大哭”（使徒行传8章2节）。这些虔诚人做了两件事：他们埋葬司提反，为他举哀送终。另外，他们也为他捶胸大哭，彼此分担内心的哀伤。

As followers of Jesus, we need not mourn our losses alone. In sincerity and love we can reach out to others who are hurting, and in humility we can accept the concern of those who stand beside us.

身为耶稣的跟随者，我们在失去至亲时不用独自难过。我们能以真诚和爱心，关怀那些忧伤的人；我们也当谦卑地接受别人对我们的安慰和关心。

As we grieve together, we can grow in understanding and in the peace that is ours through Jesus Christ, who knows our deepest sorrow.

当我们一同忧伤时，便可因着耶稣基督里的平安，在彼此的关怀中成长。因祂知晓我们心中最深处的忧伤。

Father in heaven, help us to 

“mourn with those who mourn” 

and grow together in Your healing love.

天父啊，求祢帮助我们与哀哭的人同哭，
也让我们在祢疗愈的爱中一同成长。

Acts 7:54-8:2New International Version (NIV)

The Stoning of Stephen

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furiousand gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit,looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

8 And Saul approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.

使徒行传 7:54-8:2Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Simplified) (CUVMPS)

看见神的荣耀

54 众人听见这话，就极其恼怒，向司提反咬牙切齿。 55 但司提反被圣灵充满，定睛望天，看见神的荣耀，又看见耶稣站在神的右边， 56 就说：“我看见天开了，人子站在神的右边！”

众人用石打死他

57 众人大声喊叫，捂着耳朵，齐心拥上前去， 58 把他推到城外，用石头打他。作见证的人把衣裳放在一个少年人名叫扫罗的脚前。 59 他们正用石头打的时候，司提反呼吁主说：“求主耶稣接收我的灵魂！” 60 又跪下大声喊着说：“主啊，不要将这罪归于他们！”说了这话就睡了。扫罗也喜悦他被害。

教会被害门徒分散

8 从这日起，耶路撒冷的教会大遭逼迫。除了使徒以外，门徒都分散在犹太和撒马利亚各处。 2 有虔诚的人把司提反埋葬了，为他捶胸大哭。

整理：于姊妹