Day Sixteen
John Thomas Sipf
Pastor
St. Mark's Lutheran Verdon, NE and
St. Peter's Lutheran Falls City, NE
Psalm 146.5-10
Ruth 4.13-17
2 Peter 3.11-18
Commemoration of Lucia, Martyr
The person whose help is the God of Jacob – the person whose hope rests on the LORD their God – is truly happy! - Psalm 146:5, Common English Bible.
Today is a special day in the life of the Church. Today is the commemoration of Lucy, or Lucia, who was martyred. According to tradition, she consecrated herself, and decided to remain un-married, and, rather than sending her dowry to a future husband, she decided to give it to the poor. This angered her suitor who denounced her as a Christian to the governmental authorities. She was subsequently martyred for refusing to burn a sacrifice for Roman custom.
Lucy is remembered fondly, especially to those of us with Scandinavian heritage (confession: I am mostly of German heritage). She is remembered fondly, just as fondly as St. Nicholas if not more so (whose commemoration was a mere week ago). She is remembered so fondly, because, like St. Nick, she gave what she had to help others thrive.
You may be wondering why we would want to know much about this. We are supposed to be focusing on the return of Christ… “But, Pastor, it is Ad vent!!!” you may be saying. And I would have to agree with you. This is the season in which we are celebrating, actively celebrating our active hope that Christ will return to set things right.
Lucia, even in the midst of her martyrdom, her hope rested on the Lord her God. Rather than give gifts because it is Christmas, “and that is just what we do”… give gifts, share resources, give our of the abundance already given us because we rest in the Lord, our hope is an active hope, working to join Christ in his mission and ministry in this world, even as we wait expectantly for him.
Join your hands with God’s work and actively hope for Christ’s return by living out the story of St. Lucia, and Psalm 146. Give justice to the oppressed, give bread to the hungry, free the prisoners, make the blind to see, straighten those bent low, love the righteous, protect the immigrant, help those on the margins.
As you live into our active Advent hope… as you live into the story of Lucia, Martyr… look for God to open our eyes to see the needs among us, and bless our hands to work while we wait.
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Gracious Lord and Father, as Lucy gave her life to serve you and as she gave her possessions to serve her fellow humans bless us as we await your return. Bless us as we give our lives fully to you. Bless us as we give ourselves over to our neighbors in need. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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