Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Francis Xavier, P. (03rd December, 2019) on the Gospel and
the Memorial
Is 11:1-10;
Ps 72:1-2.7-8.12-13.17. (R. v.7);
Lk 10:21-24.
Saint Francis Xavier was “born in 1506, in Spain, he
was an original member of the Society of Jesus with St Ignatius – he took vows
of poverty and chastity, and committed himself to evangelise the pagans. He is
one of the greatest of all Christian missionaries, preaching in Goa, South East
Asia, Japan – where he landed in 1549. He learned Japanese, and formed a Church
that endured long drawn-out persecution. He died while on his way from Goa to
China, in 1552. Not only was his preaching effective in drawing people to
Christ, but he was able to organise the communities so that they could survive
when he left them.”[1]
Topic: Blessed eyes and ears.
In today’s gospel, Jesus turned to His disciples and said to
them privately:
Blessed are your eyes that see what you see! For I tell you
that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
We often play down on
our vocation as Christians. On this Saint Peter in his first letter wrote:
...you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called
you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but
now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have
received mercy (1Pt 2:9-10).
Saint John also wrote: “See what love the Father has given
us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are ...” (1Jn 3:1). Jesus too said: “... I thank
you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things
from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes,
Father, for such was your gracious will” (Lk
10:21).
As we prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ, it is important
to call to mind how noble our call is. Again, we ought to be very humble
because no one achieved anything on his/her own, cf. 1Cor 4:7. Hence, Saint Paul wrote, “Not that we are competent of
ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God” (2Cor 3:5; cf. 2Cor 5:18; 2Cor 4:7).
Bible Reading: 1Pt 2:11-17; 1Cor 1:18-31.
Thought for today: To what extend do you live as a Christian.
Let us pray: Lord, as we prepare for the coming
of your Son and our Lord Jesus Christ, help us to live fully as your children –
Amen.
Saint Francis Xavier – Pray for us.
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