Homily (Reflection) for the Memorial
of Saint Francis Xavier, P. (03rd December, 2018) on the Gospel and
the Memorial
Is 2:1-5;
Ps 121: 1-2. 4-5. 6-9. (R. v.1);
Matt 8:5-11.
Saint Francis Xavier was “born in 1506, in Spain, he
was an original member of the Society of Jesus with St Ignatius – he took vows
of poverty and chastity, and committed himself to evangelise the pagans. He is
one of the greatest of all Christian missionaries, preaching in Goa, South East
Asia, Japan – where he landed in 1549. He learned Japanese, and formed a Church
that endured long drawn-out persecution. He died while on his way from Goa to
China, in 1552. Not only was his preaching effective in drawing people to
Christ, but he was able to organise the communities so that they could survive
when he left them.”[1]
Topic: What shocked Jesus.
In the gospel, a centurion came up to Jesus and said: “...
Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress” (Matt 8:6). One would expect the
centurion to rejoice when Jesus said that He would come to his house and cure
his servant but he said: “... Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my
roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matt 8:8).
There are so much to be picked from this gospel but we shall focus
on just two. First, the centurion knew the value of human being. Hence, he left
everything in search of solution to his servant’s illness. The servant could no
longer do his duties towards his master yet the centurion still value him so
much. How much do you value others? Christians are called to value everybody,
cf. Lk 10:25-37.
Again, in the centurion was great faith. Hence, Jesus said in
amazement: “... Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith”
(Matt 8:10). Do Christians still
have such faith or like Naaman who went away angrily saying:
... I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand
and call on the name of the Lord his God, and he would wave his hand over the
spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus,
better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean? (2Kgs 5:11-12).
God wants us to come to him today and all the days of our
lives for his benevolence but we must do this with faith and humility like the
centurion. Saint Francis Xavier we celebrate today is a good example to follow.
Bible Reading: 2Kgs 5:1-19; Lk
10:25-37.
Thought for today: Do you go to God with faith and in humility?
Let us pray: Lord, as we embark on this journey
of faith in preparation for your Son’s coming, may we do so with faith and in humility
– Amen.
Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
Saint Francis Xavier – Pray for us.
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May
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