Feast of Saint Lucy

Good morning. “If we go into a darkened room and turn on the light, it doesn't matter if the room has been dark for a day, a week, or ten thousand years - we turn on the light and it is illuminated. Once we control our capacity for love and happiness, the light has been turned on.” These words by meditation instructor and writer Sharon Salzberg summarize the significance of today’s Gospel message. Once the light has been turned on it is on. In the Gospel today Jesus notes that it was those individuals who were regarded by the Jewish leadership as being outcasts and sinners who came to see the light, these ‘undesirables’ listened to His words and changed their ways. It doesn’t matter for how long they had been in the darkness. Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Lucy, and in some places the feast of St. Lucy is remembered in the celebration of the Festival of Lights. In the feast of Saint Lucy we recall that goodness triumphs over darkness. In looking to this idea of light and reflecting today upon its meaning for marriage, it occurs to me that sometimes the path to joy and happiness is difficult to find due to our own blindness to the role we personally play in our relational struggles.

It is not always easy to admit our own role in the disagreements that occur from time to time. Admitting our own wrongs is really hard at times because in doing so we have to acknowledge uncertainties we may have regarding ourselves. This can be particularly difficult for those of us who experience a great deal of negative self-regard, but when we bring ourselves to see our part in the events that darken our relationship we shine the light on the relationship, and allow for love to grow once again. As we prepare for the Birth of the Christ Child, the Light of the World, let us take charge of the capacity for love and happiness in our marriage, and turn the light back on again. The name Lucy derives from the Latin word lucere which means “to shine.” Saint Lucy despite persecution you did not fail to let your love for our Lord shine. Help us seek the courage we need to let our light shine today and to illuminate our marriage with love today and always. Happy Festival of Lights! Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life, gifts and works of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr. Happy Feast Day to Rachel Lucille!