Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, PRIEST

Is 30:19–21, 23–26

REFLECT

It is written in the Book of Isaiah, “No longer will your Teacher hide himself, / but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher” (30:20). In seeing Christ, we see the Teacher of Teachers. The world is longing for such a teacher, for such teaching. St. Francis Xavier worked tirelessly to teach about Christ and his Gospel as a missionary. He writes: “The older children would not let me say my Office or eat or sleep until I taught them one prayer or another. Then I began to understand: ‘The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Advent is a time to rekindle the joy of discovering the Gospel, of relishing that we don’t have to take only Christ’s word. Our teacher has come among us and revealed to us the splendor of his truth.


PRAY

Lord Jesus, grant that I may become eager for your teaching, as eager as a child. During this Advent give me a new desire for learning more and more about you. Amen.


LIVE

Could you teach someone the Gospel in just a few sentences? Rehearse today what you would say if someone were to ask you why you are a disciple of Jesus.

We look forward to continuing this journey with you tomorrow.