The ancient collect for this Mass calls upon God as Pastor Aeternus, the Eternal shepherd, to watch over his flock and protect it, as he gave Cletus and Marcellinus the grace of being faithful shepherds to the end.
That image of the Shepherd should still be fresh in our minds, just having celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday a week ago. Both Cletus and Marcellinus willingly accepted martyrdom, imitating the love of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, that the Church might have abundant life.
The martyrs are in a sense always the greatest of shepherds. As shepherds, the martyrs by their deaths lead us, guide us, and direct us to the one true shepherd and giver of life. As shepherds, the martyrs protect us from worldly errors. They die in order to help us believe in the heavenly realities. They help us to possess true conviction that suffering and death do not get the last word for followers of Christ.
As good shepherds, the martyr leads us to the green pastures of Christ, they feed and nourish and bolster and strengthen our faith, they carry us on their shoulders into the bosom of Christ.
We certainly never err in flocking to the martyrs, in beseeching their prayers and imitating their virtues, for they will always help us to remain faithful members of the flock of Christ.
There will be times when we are called upon to give witness to Christ, particularly when it will bring upon us the scorn of the world or perhaps the ridicule of coworkers or family. But may the martyrs grant us courage and conviction and a deep love of Christ which overcomes all fear, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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