Today is the feast of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, two women —young nursing mothers— of the 2nd century who suffered martyrdom (Cartago, 203), during the persecution of Emperor Septimius Severus. And, behold, these are the wonders of Christianity: for the love of Christ they died as sisters when, actually, Felicity was Perpetua’s slave. The two of them —holding onto each other— endured the same torment in the same way. Before the Lord, there is no difference between "Jew" and "Greek": we are all Christ's, and Christ is God’s (cf. 1Cor 3:22-23).

Paradoxically, the names of these Saints —“Felicity” and “Perpetua”— seem to contrast with the acceptance of the Cross and denial of "secular goods". Yes, they surrendered to the Cross of the Lord and gave up a transitory future, with a view to "perpetual felicity", the only one that really matters.

—The words of today's Gospel become reality: «Whoever loses their life for my sake, will find it» (Mt 10:39).