Daily Gospel Reflection for December 13, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

The Feast of St. Lucy: Radiant with Joy

Sister Michelle was all Irish, with bright blue eyes that danced as she spoke! One December 13th, while I was attending an Advent retreat, Sister Michelle skipped down the hall, sporting a crown with candles on top of her short black veil. Radiant with joy, she remarked, “It’s Saint Lucy’s Day! I love being Catholic because we’re always celebrating!”

And then she became a bit more serious: “I love St. Lucy because she’s the patron saint of my brother who is blind.”

Lucy, from the Latin word lux, means light! At the time of St. Lucy’s martyrdom, her eyes were gouged out, leaving her in total darkness. Yet she radiated Christ. Lucy, a young woman who resisted her wealthy parents' ideas, lived a celibate life and gave her dowry to the poor. She followed Christ against all obstacles.

Once set at winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, today’s feast emphasizes the world’s longing for light. Without Christ, our hearts crust over and our world wallows in darkness. With Him, hearts warm, families love, and the world heals. As the psalmist wrote: “Look to him that you may be radiant with joy.” Psalm 34:6

For young children, St. Lucy’s feast day provides a perfect time to celebrate light in the darkness. Traditionally, children dress in white gowns with red sashes reflecting martyrdom, wear crowns, and carry candles to counter the darkness.

In this season of Advent, when the days are short and the world is engulfed by spiritual darkness, we celebrate the coming of our Savior! The single greatest act of evangelization is to enter each day, each relationship, and each encounter with the radiant joy of our Lord—THE light of the world!

Ponder:

How will you radiate joy in your home or workplace?

Pray:

Lord, help us to radiate Your joy! Let us bring Your light into the darkness of the world.

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The single greatest act of evangelization is to enter each day, each relationship, and each encounter with the radiant joy of our Lord—THE light of the world! #dailygospel

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