The Alleluia describes the joy of redemption as a plan of "cross before crown," a mystery indeed, had not Jesus lived it out for us. In the Gospel Jesus explains how an unbelieving world persecutes because it regards Him as dead and gone; yet our conquering joy which no man can take away, comes from our vision of Him through the wide-open eyes of faith; although (Communion) Jesus also predicts that our joy can never be perfect here, especially during persecution, since the cross of His apparent absence is the prelude to the glory of His eternal Presence.
The Epistle alludes to the first Gentile and Jewish persecutors with their usual weapons of violence and calumny, yet shows how "you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." "Going to the Father" each day (Communion) in morning and evening prayer, "desiring things" of God (Secret) in our daily actions, receiving Sacraments (Post-communion) are the guarantee of true joy now and forever. Christianity is a religion of joy!
May 12th is the Feast of SS Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancra Mm. In about 304 SS Nereus and Achilleus, officers in the Roman Army, were beheaded for the Faith as Emperor Diocletian found that they were Christians. Pope Siricius built a basilica over the tomb of these Martyrs almost 100 years afterward.
Later, another basilica in Rome was dedicated to the martyrs, and their relics were brought there. St. Domitilla was a patrician who was banished for the Faith at the end of the I Century. St. Pancras was martyred for the Faith at age 14 for refusing to burn incense before the Roman Emperor. Although not commemorated in the Mass using the 1962 rubrics, let us pray to the brave Martyrs who died to spread the True Faith.