Friday – 2nd Week of Advent C – Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

Born into a wealthy family in Syracuse, Italy, in 283, Saint Lucy was raised with all the comforts and privileges that wealth could provide, her father being a Roman and her mother of a Greek origin. However, she was drawn to the teachings of Christianity and chose to consecrate her life to God. This decision was met with opposition from her parents, who wanted her to marry and continue the family line. But Saint Lucy remained steadfast in her devotion, eventually being arrested and tortured for her faith.
As we reflect on Saint Lucy's story, we are reminded of the readings for today. In the first reading from Isaiah, we hear God speaking to us, saying "I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go" Isaiah 48:17. This is precisely what Saint Lucy did - she chose to follow God's will, even when it went against her own desires and interests.
How very often are we “on the fence” so to speak, when we are faced with the choice of either completely and unreservedly following God’s will and our fidelity to him, and choosing some other creature comfort? And especially as religious and those striving to live vows: do we remain faithful to the vows we have sworn to God, or do I succumb to the temptations around me? We try to be faithful, and sometimes we lack the strength to make our yes a complete yes, without any conditional clauses.
In the responsorial psalm, we are reminded that those who try to live God's will above all else, will be blessed with prosperity and vindication. The psalmist writes "Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked, nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent" Psalm 1:1-2. This is a call to all of us to examine our own lives and to ask ourselves if we are following God's will or our own desires.
In the gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus speaks about the generation that rejected both John the Baptist and himself. They criticized John for being too austere and Jesus for being too lenient. But Jesus says "But wisdom is vindicated by her works" Matthew 11:19. This is a reminder that true wisdom comes from following God's will, not from seeking to please others or ourselves.
As Franciscan friars and those who espouse the Franciscan charism in some way or any other religious spirituality approved by the Church, we are called to live a life of devotion to God and to serve others in his name. We are reminded that this can sometimes mean putting to death the works of the flesh within us, which Jesus just simply expresses as self-denial: “Whoever wishes to follow me must take up his cross every day, deny himself, and then come follow me.” Saint Lucy's story is a powerful example of this - she chose to give up her life for her faith, even when it meant going against her family's wishes. She died to herself as a necessary qualifier to being a free and joyful follower of the Lord, unburdened by worldly pursuits and desires. This is difficult for all of us, especially in a day and age when so many comforts are afforded to us, and more than in any other time of our Church’s history, the temptations that surround us have been intensified, with distractions and illusions from the devil seemingly multiplied and enhanced. How shall we respond to the world’s delusion and infatuation with things that pass away? This is why a more frequent reading of the lives of the saints, and why the Church continually presents them to us throughout the liturgical year, is so important. God will stimulate and motivate us through their heroism and courage, and then it is a matter of us responding to his grace and doing the same. He knows it can be difficult, but never impossible.
Therefore, my precious friends, may Saint Lucy's example inspire us to live a life of radical devotion to God and a commitment to his truth, for in so doing, that absolute truth and goodness, which is Jesus himself, will set us free. May we be guided by the Holy Spirit, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother and Saint Lucy her faithful daughter, so that we too can seek first and foremost and always, the Kingdom of heaven, knowing that God will take care of the rest. Alleluia! Praised be his name, and may he continue to shine his countenance on you all. Amen.