13 December 2025 (Saturday) / Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr on Saturday of the 2nd week of Advent / Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr Obligatory Memorial / Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

13 December 2025 (Saturday)

Saint Lucy, Virgin, Martyr on Saturday of the 2nd week of Advent.

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 : Ecclesiasticus 48:1‐4,9‐11

The prophet Elijah arose like a fire, his word flaring like a torch. It was he who brought famine on the people, and who decimated them in his zeal. By the word of the Lord, he shut up the heavens, he also, three times, brought down fire. How glorious you were in your miracles, Elijah Has anyone reason to boast as you have? Taken up in the whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses; designated in the prophecies of doom to allay God’s wrath before the fury breaks, to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children, and to restore the tribes of Jacob, Happy shall they be who see you, and those who have fallen asleep in love.

Responsive Psalm : Psalm 79(80):2‐3,15‐16,18‐19

God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hear us,
  shine forth from your cherubim throne.
O Lord, rouse up your might,
  O Lord, come to our help.
God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
God of hosts, turn again, we implore,
  look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it,
  the vine your right hand has planted.
God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
May your hand be on the man you have chosen,
  the man you have given your strength.
And we shall never forsake you again;
  give us life that we may call upon your name.
God of hosts, bring us back; let your face shine on us 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

As they came down from the mountain the disciples put this question to Jesus, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?’ ‘True;’ he replied ‘Elijah is to come to see that everything is once more as it should be; however, I tell you that Elijah has come already and they did not recognise him but treated him as they pleased; and the Son of Man will suffer similarly at their hands.’ The disciples understood then that he had been speaking 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)