Dec 13 – Memorial for St. Lucy, virgin, martyr
St. Lucy (c. 283) was a rich, young Christian of Greek ancestry. She was raised in a pious family, and vowed her life to Christ. Her Roman father died when she was young. Her mother, Eutychia, arranged a marriage for her. For three years, she managed to keep the marriage on hold. To change the mother’s mind about the girl’s new faith, Lucy prayed at the tomb of St. Agatha, and her mother’s long haemorrhagic illness was cured. Her mother agreed with Lucy’s desire to live for God, and Lucy became known as a patron of those with maladies like her mother’s.
Her rejected pagan bridegroom, Paschasius, denounced Lucy as a Christian to the governor of Sicily, who sentenced her to forced prostitution. But when the guards went to fetch her, they could not move her even when they hitched her to a team of oxen. The governor ordered her killed instead. After torture that included having her eyes torn out, she was surrounded by bundles of wood which were set afire; they went out. She prophesied against her persecutors, and was executed by being stabbed to death with a dagger. Her name is listed in the prayer “Nobis quoque peccatoribus” in the Canon of the Mass.
Legend says that her eyesight was restored before her death. This, and the meaning of her name, led to her connection with eyes, the blind, eye trouble, etc.
- Patron Saint Index
Zep 3:1-2,9-13
Mt 21:28-32
“I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the Kingdom of God before you.”
Have you ever asked the question, “What is the Father’s will for me?”
Today readings lead us in that direction.
Matthew writes in the Gospel today that one son mentioned ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went out to the vineyard to work when he was asked to go. We read of an outright disobedience from this son, but we also see how the son changed his mind after. Matthew then mentioned how this son did the Father’s will.
Indeed Christ is showing us that it is never too late to repent, to reconcile, to do the Father’s will. That no matter how many times we have said ‘no’ to Christ, we can always change our mind.
God affirms us in the first reading where it says, ‘When that day comes, You need feel no shame for all the misdeeds you committed against me; for I will remove your proud boasters from your midst; and you will cease to strut on my holy mountain.’ (Zep 3:11)
Doing the Father’s will is simply to be with God, to return to Him, to live in Him. God doesn’t desire perfection in our actions and intentions — He desires us. It is more than what we do or have done, but who we are.
Lord, may we see Your will not as ‘carrying our crosses’ and the need for ‘abstinence’, ‘obedience’ and ‘sacrifices’, but to see Your will as we need You and how much You desire us. Amen.
(Today‘s OXYGEN by Benjamin Mao)
Prayer: Dear Lord, may we know that we can always return to you. May we never take your love and mercy for granted. Help us to return to you and to reconcile with our loved ones as we also prepare our hearts to receive you once again this Christmas.
Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for your mercy and forgiveness. Thank you Lord, for your faithfulness towards us, especially when we haven’t been faithful to you. Thank you Lord, for loving us.
OXYGEN 
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