Monday, December 13, 2021

 

Memorial of Saint Lucy, virgin and martyr

(Numbers 24:2-7.15-17a; Matthew 21:23-27)

As with most early martyrs, little can be said of St. Lucy with certainty.  It is told that she was martyred because she refused marriage after making a promise of virginity.  More interestingly, Lucy is known as the patroness of the blind.  A very late legend depicts her eyes being gouged out as a form of torture.  Although unlikely to be true, Lucy’s eyes link her to both Scripture readings today.

Balaam is a pagan visionary.  God has granted him the ability to peer into the future.  Facing the camp of the Israelites, he sees a mighty king being born someday among them. Jews have interpreted this king as David.  Christians understand him to be Christ.  In the gospel Jesus shows remarkable insight.  He knows the malevolence of the Jewish hierarchy.  Rather than fall into their trap, he puts them on the defensive.

Even if St. Lucy was blinded, she clearly saw the light of Christ.  Indeed, her name reflects this light.  We too have Christ in our inner sights.  We should listen and do what he communicates to us.  Focusing on Christ, we will arrive at our destination of happiness.

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