June 30, Monday Weekday

Remember this, you who never think of God.--Psalm 50:22

Mass readings: Amos 2:6-10,13-16 / Matthew 8:18-22

Martyrs Under Nero

Since high school I have been a student of ancient Roman history. The great fire of Rome that began on July 19, 64, destroyed two-thirds of the capital. The emperor Nero caused the fire, or at least delayed fighting it. He deflected suspicion from himself by blaming the Christians and proceeded to put large numbers of them to death by crucifixion, by being lighted as human torches or by being attacked by wild animals. The historian Tacitus writes, ''they were being sacrificed to one man's brutality rather than to the national interest.''

Their names have not come down to us, this multitude of martyrs who joined Peter and Paul in giving their lives for Christ between 64 and 68. They understood the message of today's Gospel reading: let nothing take priority over following Jesus.

Prayer: Dear Lord, give me courage.