December 13 2019 - St. Lucy - Quit playing games with God

There is a famous book on human psychology, published back in the 1960s called Games People Play.  The book isn’t talking about board games like monopoly or trivial pursuit, or children’s games like hop-scotch or kick the can.  The book explains the often selfish and manipulative "games" adults play with each other in their interpersonal relationships. Think of a boss who throws tantrums in order to get his employees to do his bidding, or a beautiful woman using her physical attributes to get what she wants.

We even play games with ourselves: the little lies we tell ourselves in order to justify certain behavior.  “I’m so stressed, I deserve to eat an entire carton of cookie dough ice cream. Or, I had such a hard day, I deserve to have six whiskies.” Or think of the way we point out people’s flaws so we can justify not associating with them, or helping them. 

In the Gospel today, Jesus talks about playing games with God.  He describes the behavior of his generation, as a bunch of children playing games in the street instead of taking the word of God seriously. Instead of heading the preaching of John the Baptist, they claim he is possessed by a demon. Instead of heading the preaching of Jesus, they claim he is a drunkard and a glutton. They create a lie about Jesus, and then believe that lie so they don’t have to change their behavior.

The Advent call to conversion certainly demands we examine the games we play with God and with one another.  What lies do I tell myself in order not to pray as much as I should? What lies do I tell myself in order to indulge in sinful behavior? What lies do I tell myself in order not to reach out to the estranged and the lonely? What lies do I tell myself in order not to serve my parish?

The Saints, like St. Lucy, who we honor today, are those who strive to quit playing games with God. They seek the holiness God wants for them, no matter what. No games—just complete surrender to God.

After witnessing the miraculous cure of her mother, Lucy consecrated herself to Christ. Consecrated virginity was a counter-cultural sign in Ancient Rome, which had state sanctioned brothels and prostitution. Her consecration as a virgin enraged a potential suitor who accused her as a Christian before the Roman judge during the persecution of Diocletian.  The judge ordered her to offer a pagan sacrifice to the emperor, Lucy courageously refused. She war tortured, and her eyes were cut out. God however restored her eyes through a miracle, and for this she is known as the patron saint of the blind and eye disorders.

But more importantly, St. Lucy reminds us to see and to seek what is most important in life, that fervent love for Christ may pierce through our self-deceptions and lead us to stop playing games with God, but to witness to his Gospel with our whole lives.

May the Holy Spirit lead us to the change of heart, the change of attitude, the change of behavior God wants for us this Advent, that conforming our lives to Christ, we may bear his truth and love to all the word, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We raise up our prayers of petition, as we await with longing the Advent of Christ the Lord.
That Advent repentance and devotion may prepare us rightly for Christmas joy.
That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for the dignity of every human life.  We pray to the Lord.
For the conversion of those who reject Jesus and His Church, those who have fallen into serious sin, and those who have fallen away from the Church.
Through the intercession of St. Lucy, we pray for all those who suffer blindness and eye disorders, and for safety from accidental loss of vision, and for all of the sick and suffering.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Almighty ever-living God, who brings salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.