Today we recall the earliest Christians in Rome who suffered indescribable cruelty and martyrdom at the hands of the Roman Emperor Nero in the year 64AD.
The Acts of the Apostles includes joyful descriptions of the genuine care and kindness displayed by the first Christians in Rome. One example is the beautiful account of their loving and courageous encouragement of Paul when he arrived as prisoner in the center of the civilized world.
The first Christians did not abandon the world – they kept their jobs and maintained their social events. They very much considered themselves to be living in the world and not apart from it. They lived their Christian faith as Christ taught – as salt and light (cf. Matthew 5:13-16).
- How do we display our Christian faith in the world in which we live?
- Do our words and actions move others closer to Christ?
