Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest
The candle on the Advent wreath this week is symbolic of hope, the hope we have that something good will happen even if we have not quite obtained it yet. I think of hope kind of like being on a road trip: when I travel to Iowa to visit my grandmother for the holidays, I count down the miles and towns, and I pore over the maps. I can see, visually, that we are making progress, even if we aren't quite at the destination yet. The continual progress, in turn, gives me more hope and more hope, so that hope reinforces itself.
Today's readings are a bit like the road maps and the mileage signs. Both readings have the theme of sight, which is important for hope, because with sight we can see even far-off things in the distance and hope to get there eventually, even if we are not there yet. So, today's first reading is a prophecy about when God will be with us (Isaiah 29:17-24). Isaiah says that when all seems dark, eyes will see. The darkness will not have gone away, but because we can see glimmers of hope beyond the darkness, we will rejoice in God. Isaiah is the same prophet who proclaims, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light," referring to the Israelites (and to us) who wait for the messiah, the person who will be our light. And so, the presence of light, even small lights, becomes a road sign to us when our faith journeys are dark.
The second reading (Matthew 9:27-31) capitalizes on this theme of darkness and light by depicting Jesus restoring sight to the blind. Like the Old Testament people who waited for Jesus, these blind men walk in darkness. But when Jesus heals them, they realize two things: first, they see light and have hope. But second, and most important, they HAVE the light and recognize who the light is. Jesus is with them, physically present. Unlike their Old Testament predecessors, they do not wait in hope, but having found what they were hoping for, they go and spread the good news that the hoped for person is here!
Today is the memorial of Saint Francis Xavier. Like the blind men in today's gospel, Francis Xavier was a tireless champion of the gospel. He travelled to many countries, including China and Japan, in order to proclaim to the world that Jesus is the light. This Advent season, may Francis Xavier be an example to us today of how to spread the good news that Jesus is our light and our hope.
- Jana M. Bennett