This is the way, walk in it. – Fr. Augustine

20111203 Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest (Mt 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8)

My dear brothers and sisters,

Today we are celebrating the memorial of Saint Francis Xavier(1506-1552), in Spanish Francisco Xavier, he was a priest, religious, missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was a student of Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits, dedicated at Montmartre in 1534. And he was known as the ‘Apostle of the Indies.’

 He led an extensive mission into Asia. He was influential in the spreading and upkeep of Catholicism most notably in India, but also ventured into Japan, Borneo, the Moluccas, and other areas which had thus far not been visited by missionaries. He died on his way to China, where he had dreamed of evangelizing.

St. Francis Xavier is noteworthy for his missionary work, both as organizer and as pioneer. He is said to have converted more people than anyone else has done since Saint Paul. Therefore, he is the patron of all foreign missions. On the memorial of Saint Francis Xavier May we share his eagerness to overcome any obstacles to leading others to know Christ’s love. And let us remember and give thanks to our foreign missionaries.

 This is the way, walk in it.

 A week into our preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, we are just thinking about what it is we are hoping for, we have to think about what it is that God hopes of us. He wants us to follow him, just like he did the apostles. He tells us through Isaiah in today’s first reading: “This is the way, walk in it”. God hopes of us that we give witness that the kingdom of heaven is near.

In today’s Gospel we find how Jesus’ heart moved with pity and said “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

 Jesus always chooses us. And we always believe that he answers our prayers, provides all our needs, makes us fruitful, and heals our wounds, because He loves us and expresses His love in many personal and practical ways.

So, we should pray for many more workers and missionaries to take Jesus’ love to the world, and we should be the first to answer our prayer. This Advent, in a special way, we walk and love in Jesus’ name. Let His love come to and through us. Because this is our mission and our way, let us walk in it as Benedictine missionaries.