Commit To Christ

If you have ever visited Walt Disney World’s Epcot during December, when they highlight the Christmas traditions across the world, you may have encountered the saint we celebrate today, Saint Lucy (Santa Lucia). We commemorate the martyr St. Lucy of Syracuse Sicily, who, as legend has it, brought food to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs, lighting her way with a candlelit wreath on her head. Every December 13th, especially for those of Italian and Sicilian descent, is celebrated with a large traditional feast of home-made pasta, a special dessert called Cuccia, made of wheatberries, butter sugar, chocolate, and milk, a treat only to be indulged in once a year. St. Lucy brings gifts to children during the night. Her name means “bearer of Light in the darkness of winter.”

The story of St. Lucy is one who dedicated herself to God and distributed her dowry to the poor.

Born into a rich and noble family, her father died when she was five. Her mother was severely ill, and fearing for her daughter’s future, she arranged Lucy’s marriage to a young man from a wealthy pagan family. Yet, God called Lucy to serve him through the poor, and she committed herself to Christ, faithfully saying “yes.” She rebuked a life of affluence in favor of the poor and was punished for it. She was martyred for being and acting as a Christian.

Today’s Gospel speaks of two brothers, one who says he will do the Father’s will but doesn’t act on it, and the other who verbally refuses but changes his mind and heart and does what the Father desires. Jesus asks the chief priests and elders (and us), which of the two did his father’s will? St. Lucy shows us an alternative way to the parable in today’s Gospel – to say “yes” and be willing to give our entire life to Christ without hesitation.