FEAST OF THE FIRST MARTYRS OF THE CHURCH OF ROME.

 THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP.

THE GOSPEL:
"When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other shore.

"A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

"Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” (Matthew 8: 18 - 22).

Monday June 30th 2025 in the 13th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome.

In 64 AD, the vicious Emperor Nero set Rome on fire. To escape the wrath of the Romans, he blamed the Christians. Then he ordered all Christians arrested and be put to death. We celebrate today the witness of the multitude of Christians who perished in the persecution of Emperor Nero.

The First Martyrs of the Roman Church were probably the first large group of martyrs who witnessed to Jesus, the faithful and true Martyr. It was a big spectacle for the Romans who were gathered in the Nero Circus to witness the sport.
Tertulian said: "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity." Rome became chosen by God to be the seat of the universal Church.

To reflect on the Cost of Discipleship in the abstract may be very frightening. Think of it in the context of the the total mission of Jesus Christ and the 2000 years life of the Church. Jesus lived this life of Mission and set the example. He invited and commissioned the Twelve Apostles. Then He chose millions of saints across the centuries to follow Him. Missionary priests, religious, lay people continue to answer the call.

Today the Church honors a large crowd of men and women who counted the Cost of Discipleship and said to Jesus the First Martyr. "We too shall do it."

The Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ is honored in July. 

The Church honors the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in June.

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2020/08/12-promises-of-sacred-heart-of-jesus.html?m=1