Second Thursday in Advent - December 13th
Is 41: 13-20 / Ps 145: 1, 9-13 / Mt 11: 11-15
Today is the Feast Day of Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy), whose name means light. She is the patron saint of the blind.
Her mother tried to arrange a marriage for her with a pagan. Lucy, who had vowed her life to the service of Christ, apparently knew that her mother would not be convinced by a young girl's vow, so she devised a plan to convince her mother that Christ was a much more powerful partner for life. She suggested giving her dowry to the poor and needy.
The emperor, learning she was a Christian and had rejected her pagan fiancé, condemned her to death for being a Christian. She supposedly had her eyes gouged out by the guards who were unable to move or burn her, since she was so filled with the Holy Spirit. The legend concludes with God restoring Lucy's sight.
Today’s first reading calls upon us to have Lucy’s faith in God. No matter what hardships, tragedies or disasters are thrust upon us, know, observe and understand that the Lord will not forsake us. He will reverse all the bad things that happen.
This month, in the aftermath of the October hurricane and storms, it is difficult to imagine God helping us through these terrible losses and tragedies. But continue to believe God will be there, will take care of us and that all will be well, in the end.
The Gospel reinforces the belief that each one of us is great in the eyes of God. There will always be violence, suffering and affliction in this world, but as long as we believe, accept and trust in a compassionate, merciful, powerful God, just as Lucy did, we, His special, finest work, will survive and endure.
Marybeth Avioli
Student Life
