Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier

Today's Mass Readings

The winter solstice is near as the days continue to get shorter. These short dark weeks of Advent seem almost a paradox. The coming of Christ happens at the darkest time of year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. As the night lengthens, the daylight shrinks. Yet it is in this very dreary time of year, that the Church places this season of great hope. Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Francis Xavier. This Jesuit was well known for living amongst the poorest of the poor. Much of his ministry was devoted to care for the sick; so much so, it is said that he had little time for sleeping or praying the breviary. One might predict that a person in this situation would be overwhelmed or melancholic; however, Xavier’s letters were always filled with joy. In light of Xavier’s life, we look at the readings the Church has chosen to observe this feast. The first reading from Isaiah describes a mountaintop experience. It is here that a rich feast is set by the Lord who provides for all peoples. The feast is symbolic of both physical and spiritual nourishment. Isaiah’s prophecy states that the Lord will “destroy the veil that veils all peoples”…and “destroy death forever.” (Isaiah 25:7) This banquet is a celebration of the salvation the Lord won for us.

The psalm affirms the theme above that our salvation is won by the Lord and is celebrated with a meal. (Psalm 23:5a) It is this same psalm that reminds us that goodness, kindness, and eternal life will follow us when we place our trust in the Lord.

The gospel expands the understanding of what that trust in Jesus meant to the crowds who followed Him. In this scene from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus had already attended to the crowds spiritual needs. He had performed many miracles already: the mute could speak, the blind could see, and the lame could walk. Jesus had pity because he did not want to send them away hungry. With seven loaves and a few fish he fed the crowd with seven baskets full of leftovers.

Advent is a time of paradox. We celebrate God’s light in great darkness. This advent, as we prepare for Christmas, by decorating and stimulating the economy, let us also prepare a place in ourselves in order to make room for the Lord. The readings and this season remind us that even in the midst of darkness, and our own spiritual hunger, the Lord desires to feed us. Lord, help us this day to recognize our hunger for you. Help us to know that You are the Light who provides for us and the darkness shall not overcome it, both now and forever. Amen.

- Michael Montgomery