Let There Be Light!
This morning our parish DRE and I were having a discussion on books and the conversation quickly moved to a discussion of the many legends of the saints. One of my favorite books on the saints is called The Golden Legend, and though many people today dismiss it for its fantastic tales that in many cases seem to be embellishments, I like it for exactly the same reason. It seems to me that these stories were not initially written to convey factual accounts of the lives of the saints (though I am certain they are factually based), but to convey the deeper truths of our Christian faith. I also like it for passages such as this one, taken from the feast of St. Lucy.
Lucy means light. Light has a beauty in its appearance; for by its nature all grace is in it, as Ambrose writes. It has also an unblemished effulgence; for it pours its beams on unclean places and yet remains clean. It has a straight way without turning, and goes a long way without halting. By this we are to understand that the virgin Lucy was endowed with a stainless purity of life; that in her was an effusion of heavenly love without any unclean desire; that she followed a straight way in her devotion to God, and a long way in daily good works without weakening and without complaint. Or again, Lucy means lucid via, the way of light.
As we await the coming of Christ, the light of the world, I give thanks for the example of St. Lucy who let his light shine though her. May our celebration of Christmas inspire us to do the same.
Related Posts:
About The Author
Comments