Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent

The Month of December Dedicated to Advent and the Coming of Christ

Saint: Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr (4th century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 59 The Offering of Sons by Nobles or by the Poor

Mass: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13; Resp Ps 34; Mt 21:28-32

I will bless the Lord at all times.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

The Word of God moves swiftly; He is not won by the lukewarm, nor held fast by the negligent. Let your soul be attentive to His word; follow carefully the path God tells you to take, for He is swift in His passing.

(From the book on Virginity by Saint Ambrose, bishop, in Office of Readings, December 10)

Our saint of the day, Saint Lucy, was certainly attentive to the Word of God and followed carefully the path God told her to take - lukewarm and negligent she was not. Born into a family of means in 283, her father died when Lucy was young, and Lucy was left to the care of her mother Eutychia. Lucy, from a young age, consecrated her virginity to God and planned to devote any worldly goods to service of the poor. Eutychia had other plans for her daughter though with an arranged marriage. With prayer to Saint Agatha, another early Christian martyr, Lucy managed to have the marriage delayed. Agatha got to work and interceded on the behalf of Eutychia so that Eutychia was healed of a long illness. This drew Euthychia's attention as one might imagine, so Lucy's mother consented to her daughter's desire to live for God. Lucy persevered in her desire to serve God even with the rejected bridegroom denouncing her; the governor trying to force her into prostitution; enduring gruesome torture that included having her eyes torn out (other accounts say that it was Lucy who removed her own eyes in order to give them to a suitor who admired them - this seems like a Lucy thing to do), and so on. When Lucy's body was prepared for burial, it was found that her eyes had been restored. Saint Lucy "light" or "lucid" is the patron saint of the blind, eye trouble, and other eye ailments.* Whatever our vocation, may we be bold and faithful to the God who loves us. Be attentive - along with the Word of God that moves swiftly, so does this blessed season of Advent. Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus.

To us, also, your servants,

who, though sinners,

hope in your abundant mercies,

graciously grant some share

and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs, 

with ...

Felicity, Perpetua,

Agatha, Lucy,

Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia,

and all your Saints ...

(The Roman Canon, Eucharist Prayer I)

SAINT LUCY,

SAINT AGATHA,

PRAY FOR US.

* See Catholic News Agency, "St. Lucy."

Today's photo: The lowly will hear me and be glad.

© Gertrude Feick 2022