Greetings on this the Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Readings: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10; Mt 11:28-30
Notes
I remember teaching an RCIA class many years ago and I was teaching about courage. Something I said triggered a fellow veteran and he went on to describe the courage of men he served with in combat situations. A bit taken aback I remember thanking him and his comrades for their military valor. Our topic was moral courage. Courage to do the right think under your own autonomy and dignity and in opposition to the prevailing authority and power surrounding you. Courage in battle we honor and remain grateful for their service. Moral courage strikes at the heart of a human being. He calmed down and then was able to hear this: it is personal moral courage that is of the highest order of courage. In moral courage, in regards to our self mastery, the need for military courage is diminished. Always honored when we must do these things. But inferior to the moral courage that “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
If you prefer the wiki version: Physical courage is bravery in the face of physical pain, hardship, even death, or threat of death; while moral courage is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, discouragement, or personal loss (wiki).
We celebrate Lucy today for her moral courage and in particular her courage to speak even to the angels in defense of her autonomy and authority over her personhood. She defended her virginity not as an object but as her subject of choice.
To wit, the Blessed Mary: Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” (LK 1:31,34).
Reference: What Is Self-Mastery? When you have developed self-mastery, you have the ability to control yourself in all situations, and you move forward consciously and steadily towards your goals. You know your purpose, and you have the self-discipline needed to do things in a deliberate, focused, and honorable way. From: https://www.mindtools.com/aenkudd/self-mastery
Reference: It is good to understand this scripture passage in this way. It is the FIRST instruction from the LORD on how a human should act post original sin. Self-mastery. Then the LORD said to Cain: Why are you angry? Why are you dejected? If you act rightly, you will be accepted; but if not, sin lies in wait at the door: its urge is for you, yet you can rule over it (Gen 4:6-7).
Summary
In today’s gospel reading we receive the counter-intuitive answer to the need for courage. Rest.
Our first reading is from the section of Isaiah dealing with the Power of God and the Vanity of Idols by way of comparison. Using nature he asks us to Lift up your eyes on high and see. We know young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, but we know too the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Our responsorial givens us the psalmists description on how the LORD gives us courage. He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion (PS 103:3-4). He, the LORD, is master of all and he will aid us in the moral courage we need.
Reflection
When Jesus says to come rest in him he is offering the entirety of the divine life to you. We can learn the self-mastery we need from him. We can enjoy within the safety and leadership of the divine Son to become the self-possessed. And in that state of being, resist all who would harm us or encourage us to harm ourselves or others morally.
Personal Reflection
During Advent we can get crazy busy and when crazy busy we can get, in plain language, crazy. Resting in the LORD gives us the moral courage to reorder our lives to the best activities, thoughts and prayers. To arrive, as the Magi did, at the creche with the gift of ourselves. Lucy gave her life in defense of our autonomy, authority in her virtue. Mary gave her life in defense of our autonomy, authority in her virtue.
In parishes around the world tonight is usually the Parish Mission and Communal Penance Service, let’s have the moral courage in defense of our autonomy and dignity and into the rest of the divine life.
Reference: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/a-short-teaching-on-confession.pdf
Advent confession prayer: You who called forth light, forgive our preference for the dark! You who sent John to be a voice crying, forgive our unwillingness to say anything at all! Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
First Reading
They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Responsorial
O bless the Lord, my soul!
Gospel Acclamation
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.
Gospel
The Gentle Mastery of Christ. Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry