Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we celebrate the life of Saint Francis Xavier throughout the Church today—a remarkable Jesuit priest and missionary—we are called to reflect not only on his profound commitment to spreading the Gospel but also on the beautiful readings that accompany his feast.
The first reading from Isaiah speaks of a time when "a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse," referencing the coming of the Messiah who will lead with wisdom, understanding, and justice. This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whom Saint Francis Xavier devoted his life to proclaiming. Like this Isaiah passage foretells, Saint Francis's own mission was to bring the light of Christ to the nations, especially to those who had never heard of Him. This is quite different from those who say they’re
knocking on your house to speak to you about Jesus, believing themselves to be fulfilling Christ’s mandate to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth, because generally these people come to you with merely their own personal interpretation of who Jesus was and try to convince you that the Church has failed to tell you the truth about him. St Francis on the other hand went to those who had never heard of Jesus and gave them the profound truths that would forever change their lives.
Saint Francis Xavier was born in 1506 in the Basque region of Spain, and he initially pursued a scholarly path at the University of Paris. However, it was there that he met Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatius, with his fiery spirit and commitment to the Gospel, ignited a spark in Francis. He recognized the call that we all must confront at some point in our lives—the call to go beyond ourselves and reach out to others. As we know, Francis took this call to heart, rejecting the trappings of an academic life to become one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuit order.
Much like the Spirit described in Isaiah, Saint Francis Xavier carried the light of Christ to the corners of the earth where few had tread. His missions to India, Japan, and other regions were an embodiment of the justice and peace that we hear in the Psalm response: "Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever." He did not approach these missions as a conqueror but as a humble servant, seeking to uplift the poorer and marginalized through the transformative power of God’s love.
The Gospel today reminds us that God's truth is often hidden from the wise and learned, revealing it to those who are childlike in their faith—those like Francis who approached his mission with awe and humility. His heart was open to the divine revelations that are granted to those who seek not for their own glory but for the glory of God. He embraced his mission with a fervor that delighted the heart of God, earning a place among the greatest missionaries in history.
As we reflect on the life of Saint Francis Xavier, let us remember his passion for evangelization. He once said, “Give me souls, or take away my soul.” His desire for the salvation of many became his life’s guiding mantra. In a world often filled with distractions and self-serving aims, we are called to cultivate a similar zeal, a fervent desire to share the love of Christ with others.
However, this brings us back to the first reading—where the peaceable kingdom is described. Our work as missionaries does not come without challenge; the world is still vast and many remain in darkness. But with faith, we can become vessels of Christ’s love, just as Francis was. We are encouraged to remember that the lion shall lie down with the lamb—not by our strength, but through the grace of God that works in us.
As we celebrate the feast day of Saint Francis Xavier, let us be inspired by his mission. Each one of us is called to be a missionary in our own way. Whether that means reaching out to our neighbors, volunteering, or engaging in works of justice, let us embrace that calling with joy and fearlessness.
In conclusion, let us pray for the intercession of Saint Francis Xavier, that we may be filled with the same zeal for the Gospel, and that we might witness to the beauty of Christ's love in every corner of our lives. May we allow the Spirit of the Lord, as depicted in Isaiah, to rest upon us, guiding us in wisdom, understanding, and steadfastness wherever we go in the name of the Lord.
Amen.
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