Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, priest
(Isaiah 25:6-10a; Matthew 15:29-37)
In today’s first reading Isaiah envisions an international banquet
at the end of time. Typically, the
prophet sees it taking place on the holy mountain where Jerusalem sits. Those who have learned the ways of God are
honored with foods worthy of the tables of kings. Partakers of this feast have no reason to be
sad because God has destroyed death.
Jesus fulfills Isaiah’s vision in today’s gospel. He calls all kinds of people for a gathering on
a mountain in Galilee. There he teaches
them God’s ways. The diverse learners
are not from all the nations of the world but from all sectors of Israeli
society. They include “the blind,
deformed and the mute.” At the end of
his lessons Jesus hosts a feast. Participants
have all the bread and fish that they want.
It is a foretaste of the supper in which Jesus will share with his
disciples the bread of eternal life.
St. Francis Xavier worked as hard as anyone to realize Isaiah’s vision and to make available Jesus’ supper. As a Jesuit, a companion of Jesus, he traveled to the nations of the East making disciples. He modeled for us the willingness to leave our comfort zones to extend Christ’s love to diverse peoples.
