Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: “Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God before you.” (Mt 21:28-32)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121322.cfm
If the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of God . . . then there’s hope for the rest of us! Saint Lucy’s feast became very popular in the northern countries before the calendar reform in 1582. Her feast, December 13, had become the winter solstice due to calendar drift. That’s why the feast for this young virgin martyr of the early church was filled with lighted candles . . . even today!
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Saint Lucy, virgin & martyr, December 13
