Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest
(Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 10:21-24)
Isaiah’s incomparable vision of universal reconciliation is
matched today with the gospel showing Jesus, Son of God Almighty, inviting the humble
of the world to rest in him. As lambs
are said to lie with wolves, so the weakest can, since Jesus, rest with the Lord
of hosts.
With desire to impart Isaiah’s vision and its fulfilment in
Jesus, Francis Xavier left home and friends for the Orient. He tirelessly preached the gospel of salvation
to reconcile East and West for the glory of God.
We may not feel called to join missionaries in far-away
places. Nevertheless, as Jesus’
followers, we are summoned to reconcile different kinds of people. Be they members of different races or people of
different temperaments, Christians in Jesus’ name should promote understanding to
secure peace among all.
