13 December 2025 (Saturday) / Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr Obligatory Memorial / Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

13 December 2025 (Saturday)

Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr Obligatory Memorial.

Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr.

Readings from the Bible of the Roman Catholic Church: 

First Reading: Sirach 48: 1-4, 9-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 80: 2 and 3, 15-16, 18-19
Alleluia: Luke 3: 4, 6
Gospel: Matthew 17: 9, 10-13

First Reading: Sirach 48: 1-4, 9-11
1 And Elias the prophet stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a torch.
2 He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.
3 By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down fire from heaven thrice.
4 Thus was Elias magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory like to thee?
9 Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery horses.
10 Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
11 Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honoured with thy friendship.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 80: 2 and 3, 15-16, 18-19

R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

2 Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, shine forth
3 Stir up thy might.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

15 Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard:
16 And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

18 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.
19 And we depart not from thee, thou shalt quicken us: and we will call upon thy name.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

Alleluia: Luke 3: 4, 6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
4, 6 Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 17: 9, 10-13
9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.
10 And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then do the scribes say that Elias must come first?
11 But he answering, said to them: Elias indeed shall come, and restore all things.
12 But I say to you, that Elias is already come, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they had a mind. So also the Son of man shall suffer from them.
13 Then the disciples understood, that he had spoken to them of John the Baptist.

For our reflection today:

Having accomplished his mission, John knows how to step aside, he withdraws from the scene to make way for Jesus. He is not interested in having a following for himself, in gaining prestige and success, but rather bears witness and then takes a step back, so that many would have the joy of meeting Jesus. We can say: he opens the door, then he leaves. With this spirit of service, with his capacity to give way to Jesus, John the Baptist teaches us an important thing: freedom from attachments. Yes, because it is easy to become attached to roles and positions, to the need to be esteemed, recognized and rewarded. And this, although natural, is not a good thing, because service involves gratuitousness. It is good for us, too, to cultivate, like John, the virtue of setting ourselves aside at the right moment. To step aside, to learn to take one’s leave: I have completed this mission, I have had this meeting, I will step aside and leave room for the Lord. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 15 January 2023)

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed  and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)