Lucy, Martyr — Psalm 42

“By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:8, NIV)

St. Lucy, or Lucia, whose life and death we remember this day, was denounced to the local authorities in pre-Christian Italy by her pagan suitor. She refused to marry him because of her vows to God through the Christian faith she espoused, and was arrested, tortured, and killed. It seems to me that this verse of Psalm 42 could have been her comfort. She had committed to the Lord who directed his love to her, and kept his song with her, day and night. Clearly, she had made God the God of her life, in spite of the rejection, betrayal and torture she suffered. Her example is remembered through time because of her steadfast commitment. Whether or not we are subjected to rejection, betrayal, or torture for any reason, we can, by the same Holy Spirit that sustained St. Lucy, keep the Lord’s song with us and make God the God of our life, always!

Lord, stay as the God of our lives, and keep your love and your song with us always.  Amen.

– Mary Parrish, St. Thomas Episcopal Church