The Festival of St. Lucy, Martyr
Posted on December 13, 2024 by under
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:17—11:2 (NKJV)
10:17 But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
11:1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Devotion
The Apostle Paul, working as probably the greatest missionary the Church has ever known, worked in fervency of his ministry to establish Christian congregations in the Body of Christ. Using the imagery of the betrothed, a chaste virgin, the Apostle expresses his righteous jealousy that the Corinthian church continue on the proper way, not to glory in themselves, but to glory in Christ.
Presenting the Church as a chaste virgin is not a concept that Paul is using lightly, either. The Church is the Bride of Christ, cleansed and made unblemished by her Bridegroom, and awaiting the consummation at the second Advent. This reality of the Bride and the Bridegroom has kept numerous saints and martyrs on the path of glory in Christ.
St. Lucy had the opportunity for worldly glory when she was betrothed to a pagan suitor, and yet she wished not to defy God by being unequally yoked. This is what led to Lucy’s capture and martyrdom, dying by the sword for the crime of being a Christian. One who seeks worldly glory may have advised St. Lucy to go through with the marriage and save herself the trouble of being martyred. But Lucy, like all other members of the Church, know that their allegiance, their betrothal, is first and foremost to Christ. Therefore, our hope, joy, and glory is in Christ alone.
Collect: O God, our Savior, hear us, we pray Thee, as we rejoice in the steadfast devotion Thou dost kindle and sustain in the hearts of Thy saints, through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Populus Sion Sunday, The Second Sunday in Advent
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine Only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Advent
Stir up, we beseech Thee, Thy power, O Lord, and come, that by Thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and saved by Thy mighty deliverance; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
