December 13 2024 - St. Lucy - The light of the consecrated virgin martyr

 

The Church has honored Saint Lucy for almost fifteen hundred years.  Her name, Lucy, Lucia, comes from the latin word “Lux” which means, light of course, and her light continues to shine for us in many ways.

There are a few different legends about St. Lucy’s martyrdom. maladies. In one story, Lucy, arrested for her Christian faith, had her eyes gouged out by soldiers prior to her death. In another story, it was Lucy herself who removed her own eyes, as a way to protect her virginity which she had consecrated to Christ. No matter which version of her martyrdom is accurate, it is not hard to difficult to understand why St. Lucy is the patron saint of eye maladies and blindness.

Like St. Cecilia, St. Agnes, and St. Agatha, we honor St. Lucy as a consecrated virgin.  

As a consecrated virgin, Lucy gave her life entirely to God, consecrating her heart and body to Him. Her purity was not simply an avoidance of sin but an active, joyful embrace of a life wholly directed toward God’s will. In Advent, we, too, are called to purity—not only in body but in mind, heart, and intention. This purity allows us to see God more clearly and reflect His light to the world.

The light of St. Lucy’s martyrdom reminds us, too, that true discipleship often requires sacrifice. Her willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the faith shows us that the light of Christ shines most brightly in acts of self-giving love. According to legend, St. Lucy brought food and aid to Christians hiding in the Roman catacombs, wearing a candle-lit wreath on her head to light her way and leave her hands free to carry as much food as possible. During Advent, we are called to shine with the light of charity in acts of selflessness in our daily lives.

In a world often marked by spiritual blindness and moral confusion, St. Lucy radiating with the light of Christ shines in our present darkness. 

Purity, discipleship, courage, self-sacrifice, self-giving are the lights our world desperately needs. May her example inspire us to live as children of the light, preparing our hearts to welcome Christ, the true Light of the World, this Christmas, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Trusting in God’s light, let us bring our prayers before the Lord.

For the Church, that she may be a radiant beacon of Christ’s light in the world, guiding all people toward truth and salvation.

That our president and all civil servants will carry out their duties guided by the light of truth, justice, and respect for the dignity of every human life.  

For all who suffer for their faith, that they may find strength in the courage of the martyrs and remain steadfast in their love for Christ.

For those struggling with physical or spiritual blindness, that through the intercession of St. Lucy, they may be healed and come to see the light of Christ more clearly.

For consecrated virgins and all who have dedicated their lives to God, that they may be strengthened in their vocation and shine as witnesses to His love and purity.

For those experiencing darkness or despair, illness, or affliction, that they may be comforted by the hope of Advent and the promise of Christ’s coming.

For our departed loved ones, especially those who have lived lives of faith and service, that they may rejoice forever in the light of God’s presence. 

Heavenly Father, You are the source of all light and life. Through the intercession of St. Lucy, hear and answer our prayers, that we may walk always in Your light and prepare our hearts to welcome Your Son. Through the same Christ Our Lord.

December 13 2022 - St. Lucy, virgin & Martyr - Let there be Light!

 Light. Light features prominently in our faith. The first thing God created was light. God’s first words in the Bible are “Let there be light”. 

Psalm 119 describes God’s word as a light for our feet and a lamp unto our path.

Isaiah foretells of a time when the people walking in darkness will see a great light; when upon those living in the land of the shadow of death, light shall dawn.

Psalm 27 says, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom should I fear”? 

Light. Light enables us to see. It helps us to avoid the dangers which would lead to our demise.  “All things become visible when they are exposed by the light” St. Paul says. We are to walk by the light of God which enables us to avoid deadly sin and make our way to the unapproachable light of heaven. 

Light enables us to detect what is Good, what is True, and what is beautiful. By God’s light, we can see what is good and what is bad for us. By God’s light we can see what is true and what is erroneous. And By God’s light we can detect the many facets of his beautiful creation. Light enables us to behold the beauty of created things, for God has poured his beauty into Creation, and gives us light to appreciate. Ecclesiastes says, “The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.”

Light is also utilized by the Church in her liturgy. Candles are light on the altar for the celebration of holy Mass, so that we can see the mysteries we are celebrating. The paschal fire and the paschal candle are lit at easter time to symbolize the new creation of Christ’s resurrection. And light is used during Advent, our Advent Candles are lit on Advent Sundays to help us prepare well for the celebration of Christ—the light who comes into the world at Christmas. In the Gospel of John begins talking about Light, that John the Baptist himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light: that the true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world.”

Today we celebrate St. Lucy. Her name, Lucy, Lucia, comes from the latin word “Lux” which means, light of course. Her life was filled with the light of Christ. In the saints, the Lord’s teaching that his followers are to be the light of the world, is fulfilled. The Lord’s light shined in the life and soul of St. Lucy. 

Even when she was struck blind as part of her tortures for following Christ in a time of persecution: Lucy was still able to see. The light of Christ truly enabled her to walk by the light of faith, not simply by sight of the physical eyes.

We all need the help of the saints in order to be like those wise virgins in the Gospel who keep the light of their lamps ready for the Lord's return.

There is a beautiful and simple prayer called the St. Lucy prayer that goes like this: 

Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation -- every corner of our day…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.  

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.

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.