Memorial of St Lucy

Ish 41:13-20, Mt. 11:11-15. The liturgy of Advent presents John the Baptist to us as an example of virtues to imitate. With John the Old Testament closes and we are on the threshold of the New Testament. In today's Gospel, Jesus tells us that "from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence and men of violence take it by force". This is to say that, since the human race suffers violence from the forces of evil with its inclination towards evil, constant struggle to overcome this violence is necessary.

Today, we are challenged to be heroes of our faith as we advance the Kingdom of God here on earth. We are called to keep up this struggle through the whole of our life and make strong determination to combat the forces and sources of evil by living a life based on charity, improve our characters by making real effort to be friendly, considerate to the people around us and taking appropriate steps not to allow stagnation in our spiritual life. In her life time, St Lucy advance in our spiritual life and gave up his life for Christ. She was martyred in Syracuse, probably during the persecution of Diocletian (which started in 303). Devotion to her spread rapidly across practically the whole Church and her name is included in the Roman Canon of the Mass.

May the Lord make our mouths speak of the wisdom of God and help us to remember that Jesus became man so that we might merit the beauty of the light of God! Amen!! Good morning and peace be with you!!!