HOMILY FOR THE MEMORIAL OF SAINT LUCY, VIRGIN AND MARTYR.
THEME: Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA.
HOMILY FOR DECEMBER 13.
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13
Ps 33:2-3,6-7,16,18-19,23
Matthew 21:28-32
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
RED
*INTRODUCTION*
Today dear brethren we celebrate the Feast of St Lucy, Virgin and Martyr.
She was born into a rich and noble Roman family and lost her father at an early age. She consecrated herself to the Lord as a devoted virgin, wanting to provide her wealth and dowry to the poor and the needy.
Lucy was martyred when a sword was thrusted into her throat. Her courage and faith became a source of inspiration for many, and she is still commemorated to this day for her devotion to God and her commitment to a life of purity and sanctity.
Let us all therefore also like St Lucy commit ourselves to the same cause, and do our very best to resist the temptations of our pride, ego, greed and worldly desires, all those things that can lead us to our ruin and damnation.
*ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF THE DAY*
The parable Jesus speaks in this morning’s gospel reading shows clearly that we do not always do what we say. The first son said ‘no’ to his father, but his subsequent actions were a ‘yes’ to him. The second son said ‘yes’ to his father, but his subsequent actions were a ‘no’ to him. Because actions speak louder than words it is the first son who is held up to us as someone for us to learn from. The first son just needed time to come around. He said ‘no’ but afterwards, in time, he thought better of it. Time can be a great gift. We need to give each other time.
RELATED: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF ADVENT.
*CONCLUSION*
Dear friends in Christ Jesus, we sometimes need time to find the right path, to take the right position. The best response to a situation does not always come to us straight away; we may need time to think better of whatever stance we have taken and to change accordingly. Jesus reveals a God who gives people time; Jesus gave people time; he was prepared to wait. In Luke’s gospel the Samaritans said ‘no’ to him; later, in the Acts of the Apostles, they would say ‘yes’ to Jesus’ followers. We too are called to give each other time, to give each other the space and the freedom to think better of things.
May God be with us always, and may He strengthen us all in love, now and forevermore. St Lucy pray for Us.
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