Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Have you heard God speak to you? If so, have you listened to what was said and followed those directions? Today’s readings challenge us to realize that God does in fact speak to us and calls us to do many things. During this time of Advent, we are invited to reflect on how we can be better listeners and become laborers for the Kingdom of God.
The first reading from Isaiah describes a wonderful place where God’s love and mercy will reign. There will be no more hunger, no scarcity, and God will be in the midst of this place. The Teacher will actually sound in our ears. “This is the way; walk in it.” God will bring healing and wholeness and provide guidance for where we are to turn.
In the gospel, Jesus realizes the great need for laborers to carry His mission of mercy and healing. Jesus sends forth the disciples to bring wholeness, compassion, and forgiveness to the world around them. The disciples are sent forth to share freely, since God has generously given all they need to supply the world with love, peace, and reconciliation to help build the Kingdom of heaven.
So does God speak to us today? God promises to be with us always in all places. God desires to be in relationship with us which involves communicating through the world around us. Certainly in scripture, God shares the plan of creating the Kingdom among us. The words of Jesus speak to us both as a community of believers and as individuals as we are invited to be peacemakers, care for the poor and oppressed, love our enemies, and be merciful to others. Our sacraments tell of God’s mercy and love, and they invite us to freely share this with others. God speaks to us through the beauty of the world around us, and through the many relationships of the people that are in our daily lives.
There is little doubt that God is speaking to us, but the question then arises if we are listening. Becoming more aware of the voice of God in all aspects of our living requires attention. Staying present in the moment and actively looking for God’s presence in the minutia of our days is one way to help become more in tune with God’s voice.
Finally, if we do hear God’s directives, do we follow those commands? Living a life as a disciple of Christ requires courage and wisdom. To stand up against the evils of hatred, racism, and anti-Semitism requires a deep understanding of how we are all one in God. Seeking peace and mercy in the midst of our angry political and social environment requires a faith that God desires our world to be a place as described in Isaiah- where the lion and lamb will lay down together without fear. God knows that there is great need for “laborers,” so God sends us out to build this place of hope and peace.
Today is the feast of St. Francis Xavier. He is a Spanish Jesuit who traveled extensively in India and Southeast Asia. It is believed that he baptized 30,000 converts during his life as a missionary, but he was also remembered for his pastoral care to those whom he brought into the faith. Like St. Francis Xavier we are sent into the world to share the Good News of God’s love and mercy. Before we can go out into the world, it is important that we listen to God, so we can know which way to turn. During this Advent, may we pray for listening ears, open minds, and loving hearts so we can be laborers for God’s Kingdom.
Loving God, Jesus shares with us the vision of Your Kingdom. Through the grace of Your Spirit, help us to hear Your message of love, peace, and mercy and go forth to share this with the world. We pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN
Marylynn Herchline