From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   On Resisting Temptation  [8]    
      
   We must not therefore despair when we are tempted,   
   but pray to God with so much the more fervour, that he may   
   vouchsafe to help us in all tribulations: who, no doubt,   
   according to the saying of St. Paul, will make such issue with   
    the temptation that we may be able to sustain it.   
   Let us therefore humble our souls, under the hand of God   
   in all temptations and tribulations: for the humble in spirit he will   
   save and exalt.   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 1, Ch 13   
      
   ============   
   June 30th - The First Martyrs of Rome   
   (died 64-68)   
      
   The First Martyrs of Rome were brave and courageous Christians who   
   suffered for their faith. Following the Ascension of Christ, the   
   disciples had preached the Gospel, spreading throughout the region.   
   Some, as we have read, settled in Rome, where they continued to   
   convert and baptize in the name of Jesus. This was most unsettling to   
   the Emperor, as it led to conflict between the majority of Rome’s   
   citizens--Jews--and the new Christians.   
      
   In approximately 49 A.D., the historian Suetonius recorded that that   
   Christians were expelled from Rome by the Emperor Claudius, due to   
   disturbances that he attributed to Christ. However, it appears likely   
   that after the Emperor’s death, the Christian citizens of Rome   
   returned, only to be persecuted in a much crueler and vindictive   
   manner by Emperor Nero.   
      
   In July of 64 A.D., a large fire broke out in Rome, destroying nearly   
   half of the city. The fire was blamed on the Emperor, who is said to   
   have wanted to enlarge his palace. Nero quickly blamed the Christians,   
   who he accused of “hatred of the human race” and likened to modern-day   
   terrorists. As a result, public outcry was minimal when Nero ordered   
   thousands to be put to death-- some were covered with the skins of   
   animals and thrown to wild dogs to be torn apart; others were   
   crucified and at sunset were covered in oil and used as human torches   
   to light the path of the Emperor’s chariot. Saints Peter and Paul were   
   among those martyred. Needless to say, eventually the good people of   
   Rome took offense to Nero’s rampant persecution of Christians, and   
   following a revolt by the military, he took his own life in 68 A.D.   
      
      
   The Roman historian Tacitus tells the story of the first Martyrs of Rome:   
      
   "Yet no human effort, no princely largess nor offerings to the gods   
   could make that infamous rumor disappear that Nero had somehow ordered   
   the fire. Therefore, in order to abolish that rumor, Nero falsely   
   accused and executed with the most exquisite punishments those people   
   called Christians, who were infamous for their abominations. The   
   originator of the name, Christ, was executed as a criminal by the   
   procurator Pontius Pilate during the reign of Tiberius; and though   
   repressed, this destructive superstition erupted again, not only   
   through Judea, which was the origin of this evil, but also through the   
   city of Rome, to which all that is horrible and shameful floods   
   together and is celebrated. Therefore, first those were seized who   
   admitted their faith, and then, using the information they provided, a   
   vast multitude were convicted, not so much for the crime of burning   
   the city, but for hatred of the human race. And perishing they were   
   additionally made into sports: they were killed by dogs by having the   
   hides of beasts attached to them, or they were nailed to crosses or   
   set aflame, and, when the daylight passed away, they were used as   
   nighttime lamps. Nero gave his own gardens for this spectacle and   
   performed a Circus game, in the habit of a charioteer mixing with the   
   plebs or driving about the racecourse. Even though they were clearly   
   guilty and merited being made the most recent example of the   
   consequences of crime, people began to pity these sufferers, because   
   they were consumed not for the public good but on account of the   
   fierceness of one man."   
      
   The lives of the First Martyrs of Rome remind us that we are called to   
   serve the Lord, regardless of the earthly situations we find ourselves   
   in. We are precious to Him, and through our lives, works, and actions,   
   we must demonstrate to the world how precious the Lord is to us.   
   by Jacob   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   When we have once placed ourselves entirely in the hands of God, we   
   need apprehend no evil; if adversity comes, He knows how to turn it to   
   our advantage, by means which will in time be manifested to us.   
   --St. Vincent of Paul   
      
   Bible Quote   
    I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every   
   careless word they utter; 37 for by your words you will be justified,   
   and by your words you will be condemned.” [Matthew 12:36-37]  RSVCE   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Father, you sanctified the Church of Rome with the blood of its first   
   martyrs. May we find strength from their courage and rejoice in their   
   triumph. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who   
   lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and   
   ever. Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)