First Martyr Stephen and Witnessing to the Truth

Children in trouble often hear, "Now tell me the truth!" St. Paul in his letter to the the Philippians encourages believers to dwell on "whatever is true." On the other hand, Michael Caine in the movie The Prestige insists people want to be fooled, and Pontius Pilate asks Jesus, "What is truth?"

And while we, generally, insist we want "just the facts, ma'am," and even in court are exhorted to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," in truth, we often prefer to hear, and tell, a pretty half-lie ('cuz everyone know outright lies are wrong) than to deal with the repercussions of speaking and acting in complete truth, and that's even assuming we've taken the time to seek out only truth.

Of course, some people wield truth as a weapon, ("Hell, yeah! That dress makes you look fat!") while others flee from staring naked stark truth in the eye (perhaps for reasons of guilt, shame, etc.), even though Jesus tells us truth will set us free, since doing so often requires an uncomfortable "manning up" to meet a particular challenge, when a turning of the head or a closing of the eyes would be sooooooo much easier.

This is particularly evident in Bryony, where the Reverend Sandy D. Costa, in her forward, points out that Melissa "cannot look at her nocturnal friends out of her peripheral vision for then she sees them as they truly are," and that she "makes a solemn vow before she looks at John Simons from all angles." Even Henry admits its less riskier to live half a life, even if its beastly and predatory, than to assume the responsibility of being honestly dead.

Today, in the Eastern Christian churches (yesterday in the Western churches) we celebrate the feast day of protomartyr Stephen, one of the original seven deacons of the early church and one who much preferred to be stoned than compromise one word of the truth to which he had been entrusted.

Certainly, his courage at upholding the truth is commendable at worst and inspirational at best, especially during a time when hard news is often watered down and sprinkled with a reporter's opinions, rendering it viritually indistinguishable from a blog, opinion is flaunted as fact, and diversity (merely for diversity's sake and not in any quest for truth) in thinking is extolled.

"Truth, like gold, is to be obtained, not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold." Leo Tolstoy.

May we all be lovers, pursuers, doers, and hearers of truth...and may we all have the courage to remove prejudices from our minds and hearts to be open to truth and all the opportunities it brings.

Meet the Reverend Sandy D. Costa, author of Bryony's Forward

Rev. Sandra D. Costa is a founding member of Treibh na Tintean of Joliet, Illinois. She is a priestess, Reiki master teacher, minister, editor, artist, activist, writer, sometimes English teacher, and the author of the very awesome forward in Bryony.


1 ) You wear so many hats: Reiki master teacher, minister, artist, editor, activist, writer and sometime English teacher. Tell us a little about each one.

"Reiki is an ancient eastern form of energy healing. What I love about it is that you can only help people with Reiki—you cannot make a mistake! I love teaching people about Reiki and empowering them to heal themselves and others.
"My ministry is small—I give a little extra support to the people in my pagan circle. When they need a kind word, or encouragement, a reminder of the Goddess’ love for them, or a different perspective on a problem, I like to be there for them—as they have been there for me.
"My art consists mostly of making jewelry—because I cannot wear it all—I must attempt to sell it! I like working with healing stones and sterling wire. I take my idea, the materials and the process of creating a piece to see what actually comes out at the end.

"I feel the most important skill we can develop is that of articulating our most deeply held beliefs. To help OTHER people achieve that, I edit manuscripts. I attempt my own writing from time to time—mostly opinion work, or parts of a ritual. It is what I “preach” about in my activism, what I teach my students, and hopefully what I do myself.

2) When you heard about Bryony from Dulcinea Hawksworth, director of marketing, why were you eager read and review it?

"She was excited to be working with you on publicizing this book. I was intrigued and asked how I could get involved. After I met you, you offered to let me read the manuscript. I jumped at the chance—not only is that what I do, it was a privilege to be asked. When I realized you were not pandering to the faddish notion that vampires are angsty, misunderstood and noble, I was very pleased to write a review."

3) Why should teens read this book?

 "I was especially pleased that your young main character makes lots of mistakes. Better young people learn the consequences of “leaping before they look” in fiction than in real life. Melissa is a willful, smart, impulsive and fairly typical teenager. She sees what she wants to see in John, not what is readily apparent."\

4) What makes Bryony interesting to adults, too?

"As the mother of a young woman, it was interesting to see how little a parent can know about a child’s life. I thought I knew what was going on in my daughter’s life, but I only knew what she let me know. Parenting is an exercise in trust—in what one has taught one’s children, and the child herself. Melissa is a prime example of that partial knowledge.