Opening Prayer
Holy One of Israel, sometimes it is difficult to understand that Your teachings are what is best for us. You are a challenging Teacher. And yet, we want to believe. We are trying to follow. Flood the aridity of our spirit and wash away the cynicism of our souls. Keep our names in the depth of Your heart, even when we forget You. Our expectations must be frustrating to deal with. We complain because John was too severe and challenging, and joyless. Yet we watch Jesus eating, drinking and enjoying everyone, and we are scandalized. Why are we so suspicious and confusing, Holy God? Please let Your light shine in the messy darkness of our confusion!
Today is the feast day of St. Lucy (Lucia in Italy). St. Lucy lost her eyes because she would not deny the fiery and transforming vision of Your love. Please let Your light shine in the messy darkness of our confusion!
- Readings for the Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Reading 1 Is 48:17-19
the Holy One of Israel:
I, the LORD, your God,
teach you what is for your good,
and lead you on the way you should go.
If you would hearken to my commandments,
your prosperity would be like a river,
and your vindication like the waves of the sea;
Your descendants would be like the sand,
and those born of your stock like its grains,
Their name never cut off
or blotted out from my presence.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Blessed the man who follows not
the counsel of the wicked
Nor walks in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the company of the insolent,
But delights in the law of the LORD
and meditates on his law day and night.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
He is like a tree
planted near running water,
That yields its fruit in due season,
and whose leaves never fade.
Whatever he does, prospers.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Not so the wicked, not so;
they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
For the LORD watches over the way of the just,
but the way of the wicked vanishes.
R. Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.
Alleluia
The Lord will come; go out to meet him!
He is the prince of peace.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 11:16-19
"To what shall I compare this generation?
It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another,
'We played the flute for you, but you did not dance,
we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.'
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said,
'He is possessed by a demon.'
The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said,
'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard,
a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'
But wisdom is vindicated by her works."
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.