FIRST MARTYRS OF THE CHURCH OF ROME

Sunday June 30, 2024--Optional Memorial

The pagan writer Tacitus testifies to these events in "Annales" 44:

"And there were sacred banquets and nightly vigils celebrated by married women. But all human efforts, all the lavish gifts of the emperor, and the propitiations of the gods, did not banish the sinister belief that the conflagration was the result of an order. Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car. Hence, even for criminals who deserved extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to glut one man's cruelty, that they were being destroyed."

From Pope Clement I is also known as Saint Clement of Rome, is listed as Bishop of Rome, holding office from 88 to his death in 99. He is considered to be the first Apostolic Father of the Church.

5 Let us leave behind the examples from times of old, and come to those who struggled closest to us; let us consider the noble models of our own generation. It was through jealousy and envy that the greatest and most upright pillars of the Church were persecuted and struggled unto death.

Let us set before our eyes the good apostles. First of all, Peter, who because of unreasonable jealousy, suffered not merely once or twice but many times, and having thus given his testimony, went to the place of glory that he deserved.

It was through jealousy and conflict that Paul showed the way to the prize of perseverance. He was put in chains seven times, sent into exile, and stoned; a herald both in the east and the west, he achieved a noble fame by his faith. He taught justice to the entire world and, when he had reached the limits of the western world, he gave his testimony before those in authority; then he left this world and was taken up into the holy place, as a superb example of endurance.

The sixth chapter gives us information about Nero’s persecution of the Christians, many of them women.

6 Around these men with their holy lives there gathered a great throng of the elect, who, though victims of jealousy, gave us the finest example of endurance in the midst of many indignities and tortures.

Through jealousy, women were tormented like Dirce or the daughters of Danaus, suffering terrible and unholy acts of violence. But they courageously finished the race with faith till the end and despite their bodily weakness won a noble prize. It was jealousy that separated wives from husbands, and violated the words of our father Adam: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” Jealousy and strife have overthrown great cities and uprooted mighty nations.

7 We are writing this, beloved, not only as a warning for you, but also as a reminder to ourselves; for we are all placed in the same arena, and the same contest lies before us. Let us, then, give up vain and useless desires, and go straight to the glorious and venerable norms contained in our tradition. Let us consider what is good, what is pleasing, what is acceptable in the sight of him who made us.

St Clement continues inviting all to repentance and conversion.

Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ, realizing how precious it is to his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.

Gospel

MT 24:4-13

Jesus said to his disciples:

“See that no one deceives you.

For many will come in my name, saying,

‘I am the Christ,’ and they will deceive many.

You will hear of wars and reports of wars;

see that you are not alarmed,

for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end.

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;

there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place.

All these are the beginning of the labor pains.

Then they will hand you over to persecution,

and they will kill you.

You will be hated by all nations because of my name.

And then many will be led into sin;

they will betray and hate one another.

Many false prophets will arise and deceive many;

and because of the increase of evildoing,

the love of many will grow cold.

But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.”