St. Soter, the successor to Pope Anicetus, died a martyr's death in 175. He was noted for his kindness to certain Greeks who had been condemned to the mines because of their faith in Christ. When he ascended the chair of Peter he forbade consecrated virgins to touch the sacred vessels and palls, or to carry censers in church. He also obliged the faithful, except those in mortal sin, to receive holy Communion on Maundy Thursday. Soter is the author of a letter to the Corinthians. 
St. Caius (pope from 283 to 296) was closely related to the Emperor Diocletian. So that he might live to serve the faithful, he remained in concealment a long time and would not leave Rome. Ordinarily it was in the catacombs that he hid, and there he celebrated the holy mysteries and instructed many pagans. It was Pope Caius who decreed (according to the false Decretals) that the following steps must precede consecration to the episcopate: porter, lector, exorcist, acolyte, subdeacon, deacon, and priest. He died a natural death and was buried in the catacomb of Callistus on April 22. St. Susanna was his niece. Pope Urban VIII revived his memory in Rome by restoring his church, naming him as its patron saint, raising it to the rank of a station, and enriching it with the saint's relics.He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:3)
It may seem rather insulting to hear Jesus comparing us to sheep. After all, sheep are usually considered to be rather stupid animals that eventually end up on our dinner plates. But actually, Jesus is commenting on how intelligent sheep can be. They know better than to follow a stranger’s voice—something that even we humans don’t always get right! But these sheep have become so accustomed to hearing their shepherd speak that they won’t even acknowledge another person’s voice.
This is God’s vision for all of us. He fashioned us, as his children, with the capacity to hear his voice and be formed by his word. And to do this, he gave us the gift of a conscience, which the Church calls our “most secret core and … sanctuary” (Catechism, 1776). Our conscience is not just a “sin gauge,” telling us how wrong or right a certain action is. It is the place where we hear the Lord most clearly and most intimately. It’s our inner self, the place where we learn the most about ourselves and the place where we hear our Father tell us who we really are.
Clearly, our conscience helps us to do more than avoid wrongdoing. It also points out the good we could be doing. Do you sometimes feel promptings to reach out to someone who is hurting or to stand against some injustice? Chances are, these promptings are not just “shoulds” and “ought-tos.” They are God’s invitation to use your unique gifts to become his messenger of grace and love.
Those who have access to a computer probably check their e-mails at least once a day—perhaps several times a day. Today as you spend time with the Lord, check your “spirit-mail.” Surely God has sent you a message—perhaps dozens of them! Some of these may seem unimportant, such as “Pray for that friend who has lost his job,” or “Give your daughter a call, and tell her that you love her.” But if you respond to those messages, you will be doing no small task. You will be building God’s kingdom on earth!
“Lord, it’s so easy to become distracted by other voices. Help me to be still and hear you. May I always follow your still, small voice and walk in your love and grace.”
Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4