DECEMBER 03, 2012 : MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST

Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Lectionary: 175

Reading 1 Is 2:1-5

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come,
The mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
That he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths."
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
One nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.

O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the LORD!

Responsorial Psalm Ps 122:1-2, 3-4b, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
I rejoiced because they said to me,
"We will go up to the house of the LORD."
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your walls,
prosperity in your buildings.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Because of my relatives and friends
I will say, "Peace be within you!"
Because of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will pray for your good.
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Gospel Mt 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum,
a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,
"Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully."
He said to him, "I will come and cure him."
The centurion said in reply,
"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.
For I too am a man subject to authority,
with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes;
and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes;
and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it."
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
"Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
I say to you, many will come from the east and the west,
and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven."

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Meditation: "Many will come and sit at table in the kingdom of God"

Are you ready to feast at the Lord's banquet table? God’s gracious invitation extends to all – Jew and Gentile alike – who will turn to him with faith and obedience. Jesus used many images or pictures to convey what the kingdom of God is like. One such image is a great banquest feast given at the King's table.  Jesus promised that everyone who believed in him would come and feast at the heavenly banquet table of his Father. Jesus told this parable in response to the dramatic request made by a Roman centurion, a person despised by many because he was an outsider, not one of the "chosen ones" of Israel. In Jesus' time the Jews hated the Romans because they represented everything they stood against – including foreign domination and  pagan beliefs and practices.
Why did Jesus not only warmly receive a Roman centurion but praise him as a model of faith and confidence in God? In the Roman world the position of centurion was very important. He was an officer in charge of a hundred soldiers. In a certain sense, he was the backbone of the Roman army, the cement which held the army together. Polybius, an ancient write, describes what a centurion should be: "They must not be so much venturesome seekers after danger as men who can command, steady in action, and reliable; they ought not to be over-anxious to rush into the fight, but when hard pressed, they must be ready to hold their ground, and die at their posts." The centurion who approached Jesus was not only courageous, but faith-filled as well. He risked the ridicule of his cronies as well as mockery from the Jews by seeking help from an itinerant preacher from Galilee. Nonetheless, the centurion approached Jesus with great confidence and humility. He was an extraordinary man because he loved his slave. In the Roman world slaves were treated like animals – something to be used for work and pleasure and for bartering and trade. This centurion was a man of great compassion and extraordinary faith. He wanted Jesus to heal his beloved slave. Jesus commends him for his faith and immediately grants him his request. Are you willing to suffer ridicule in the practice of your faith? And when you need help, do you approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith?
The prophet Isaiah foretold a time of universal peace when all nations would come to "the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob" and "beat their swords into plowshares" (Isaiah 2:2-4). Jesus fulfills this prophecy first by restoring both Jew and Gentile to fellowship with God through the victory he won for us on the cross. When he comes again he will fully establish his universal rule of peace and righteousness and unite all things in himself (Ephesians 1:10). His promise extends to all generations who believe in him that we, too, might feast at the heavenly banquet table with the patriarchs of the Old Covenant who believed but did not see the promised Messiah. Do you believe in God's promises and do you seek his kingdom first in your life? The season of Advent reminds us that the Lord wants us to actively seek him and the coming of his kingdom in our lives. The Lord will surely reward those who seek his will for their lives. We can approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith, like the centurion in today's gospel reading, knowing that he will show us his mercy and give us his help.
"Lord Jesus, you feed us daily with your life-giving word and you sustain us on our journey to our true homeland with you and the Father in heaven. May I never lose hope in your promises nor lag in zeal for your kingdom of righteousness and peace."
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Faith that Moves Rain Clouds

Father John Doyle, LC Matthew 8:5-11 When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ´Go,´ and he goes; to another, ´Come here,´ and he comes; and to my slave, ´Do this,´ and the slave does it." When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Amen I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from east and west and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven.” Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus I place myself before you with great confidence, sure of your desire to spend this time with me and accompany me throughout the day. I am grateful for your unconditional and unfailing love. I humbly offer you my desire to love you more and serve you more faithfully. Petition: Lord help me to have a profound and yet childlike faith in you. 1. I Will Come and Cure Him: Jesus has a heart that is prompt in serving those in need. Doubtless Christ had other plans when he arrived to Capernaum, plans that didn’t include making another trip to cure the slave of a foreigner. Often we can find ourselves in similar situations in our daily life. We are just about to relax after a grueling day when the phone rings or a little voice asks for help with his or her homework. It is in those moments that Jesus is inviting us to imitate his example of service. Turn the tables around for just a moment. How many times have I been the one on the other side asking for a little of someone else’s time? Ask Jesus for the grace to be flexible and always available to the needs of others. 2. I Am Not Worthy: The centurion has a profound awareness of his own unworthiness and this is key to his finding favor with Jesus. At times we pray as if we deserved God’s favor, but here the centurion recognizes that he is unworthy that Jesus should come to him. So great was this man’s faith and humility that we use his words to express our own sentiments before receiving Jesus in Holy Communion: “Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” As we continue to prepare for Christ’s coming during the Advent season, let’s make these words of the centurion our own. 3. Faith Moves Rain Clouds: If it can be said that Jesus had a weakness for something, it would seem that Christ’s “weakness” showed itself when he perceived faith in others. He never worked a miracle without first demanding faith from the one to receive it, and he never refused anyone who asked anything from him with faith. Jesus says that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can move mountains. Although I personally have never seen anyone move mountains, I surely have seen prayer move smaller things, like rain clouds for instance. If you need mountains, rain clouds or anything else to be moved, ask for it with faith, and you will really touch Jesus’ weak spot. Direct your prayer of petition to Our Lord with confident faith and love for his will. He really listens and he can move whatever needs to be moved. Conversation with Christ: Christ Jesus let me ask you for the faith that you demand from me. I’m going to remember now to turn to you with my concerns, no matter how small, knowing you’re accompanying me, and wish to help and guide me. In return, help me to recognize you in those who seek my aid and give me the generosity to answer promptly and graciously in imitation of you. Resolution: Just before lunch, I will make a simple act of faith in Christ, that he is guiding and protecting me.

www.regnumchristi.com

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3
ADVENT WEEKDAY
MATTHEW 8:5-11
(ISAIAH 2:1-5; PSALM 122)
KEY VERSE: "AMEN, I SAY TO YOU, IN NO ONE IN ISRAEL HAVE I FOUND SUCH FAITH" (V 10).
READING: AS JESUS ENTERED CAPERNAUM, A CENTURION (A COMMANDER OF ONE HUNDRED MEN AT A MILITARY POST), APPROACHED AND ASKED HIM TO HEAL HIS SERVANT. ALTHOUGH THIS SLAVE WHO WAS OF LITTLE IMPORTANCE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE, THE CENTURION WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN FOR HE HAD COMPASSION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT JESUS' MINISTRY WAS TO THE "LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL" (MT 15:24), HE CONSENTED TO GO WITH THIS NON-ISRAELITE. THE CENTURION PROTESTED THAT HE WAS UNWORTHY TO HAVE JESUS ENTER HIS HOUSE. ACCORDING TO JEWISH LAW, A JEW COULD NOT ENTER THE GENTILE'S HOUSE SINCE THEY CONSIDERED THEM TO BE UNCLEAN. AS AN OFFICER, THE CENTURION KNEW THE POWER OF A COMMAND, AND HE BELIEVED THAT JESUS ONLY NEEDED TO SPEAK A WORD TO HEAL HIS SERVANT. JESUS WAS AMAZED AT THE MAN'S FAITH, AND ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MANY WOULD COME FROM THE "EAST AND THE WEST" (V 11), AND WOULD FIND A PLACE AT THE BANQUET IN GOD'S KINGDOM. THE FAITH OF THE CENTURION ANTICIPATED THE CHURCH'S MISSIONARY ACTIVITY AMONG THE GENTILES.
REFLECTING: DO I HAVE THE COURAGE TO BRING OTHERS TO JESUS FOR HEALING?
PRAYING: LORD, I AM NOT WORTHY THAT YOU SHOULD ENTER UNDER MY ROOF; BUT ONLY SAY THE WORD, AND MY SOUL SHALL BE HEALED. (PRAYER BEFORE COMMUNION FROM THE NEW TRANSLATION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL)

MEMORIAL OF FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST

FRANCIS XAVIER WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST MISSIONARIES OF ALL TIMES. HE WAS A FRIEND OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA WHO CONVINCED HIM TO USE HIS TALENTS TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL. FRANCIS WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING JESUITS, AND THE FIRST JESUIT MISSIONARY. A PRIEST, HE WAS A TREMENDOUSLY SUCCESSFUL MISSIONARY FOR TEN YEARS IN INDIA, THE EAST INDIES, AND JAPAN, BAPTIZING MORE THAN 40,000. HE DINED WITH HEAD HUNTERS, WASHED THE SORES OF LEPERS IN VENICE, TAUGHT CATECHISM TO INDIAN CHILDREN, AND BAPTIZED 10,000 IN A SINGLE MONTH. FRANCIS TOLERATED THE MOST APPALLING CONDITIONS ON LONG SEA VOYAGES, ENDURING EXTREMES OF HEAT AND COLD. WHEREVER HE WENT HE WOULD SEEK OUT AND HELP THE POOR AND FORGOTTEN. HE TRAVELED THOUSANDS OF MILES, MOST ON HIS BARE FEET, AND HE SAW THE GREATER PART OF THE FAR EAST. FRANCIS HAD THE GIFT OF TONGUES, WAS A MIRACLE WORKER, RAISED PEOPLE FROM THE DEAD, CALMED STORMS, AND WAS A PROPHET AND HEALER. FROM JAPAN HE HAD DREAMS OF GOING TO CHINA, BUT THIS PLAN WAS NEVER REALIZED. BEFORE REACHING THE MAINLAND HE DIED ON THE ISLAND OF SANCIAN NEAR THE COAST OF CHINA, 2 DECEMBER, 1552.

www.daily-word-of-life.com

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.
Advent is full of movement: the people of God coming to the mountain of the Lord and the Lord coming to his people in the midst of their wintering. Advent is full of transformation: swords become ploughshares, darkness becomes light, God becomes one like us. How apt that today we remember and celebrate the patron of the missions, Francis Xavier.

We have the gift of life and of faith in you, Lord Jesus. We believe that you have come among us. This urges us to be more welcoming, more searching, more trusting. In all our coming and going, let us always focus on you.

www.churchresources.info

December 3
St. Francis Xavier
(1506-1552)

Jesus asked, “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” (Matthew 16:26a). The words were repeated to a young teacher of philosophy who had a highly promising career in academics, with success and a life of prestige and honor before him.

Francis Xavier, 24 at the time, and living and teaching in Paris, did not heed these words at once. They came from a good friend, Ignatius of Loyola, whose tireless persuasion finally won the young man to Christ. Francis then made the spiritual exercises under the direction of Ignatius, and in 1534 joined his little community (the infant Society of Jesus). Together at Montmartre they vowed poverty, chastity and apostolic service according to the directions of the pope.

From Venice, where he was ordained a priest in 1537, Francis Xavier went on to Lisbon and from there sailed to the East Indies, landing at Goa, on the west coast of India. For the next 10 years he labored to bring the faith to such widely scattered peoples as the Hindus, the Malayans and the Japanese. He spent much of that time in India, and served as provincial of the newly established Jesuit province of India.

Wherever he went, he lived with the poorest people, sharing their food and rough accommodations. He spent countless hours ministering to the sick and the poor, particularly to lepers. Very often he had no time to sleep or even to say his breviary but, as we know from his letters, he was filled always with joy.

Francis went through the islands of Malaysia, then up to Japan. He learned enough Japanese to preach to simple folk, to instruct and to baptize, and to establish missions for those who were to follow him. From Japan he had dreams of going to China, but this plan was never realized. Before reaching the mainland he died. His remains are enshrined in the Church of Good Jesus in Goa.

Comment:

All of us are called to “go and preach to all nations” (see Matthew 28:19). Our preaching is not necessarily on distant shores but to our families, our children, our husband or wife, our coworkers. And we are called to preach not with words, but by our everyday lives. Only by sacrifice, the giving up of all selfish gain, could Francis Xavier be free to bear the Good News to the world. Sacrifice is leaving yourself behind at times for a greater good, the good of prayer, the good of helping someone in need, the good of just listening to another. The greatest gift we have is our time. Francis gave his to others.

Patron Saint of:

Japan
Missionaries

www.americancatholic.org

LECTIO: MATTHEW 8,5-11

 

Lectio: 

 Monday, December 3, 2012  

1st Week of Advent

1) Opening prayer

Lord God, Father of all, 
in your Son Jesus Christ 
you invite everyone and all to know and love you 
and to live in your unending peace. 
Keep alive in us the zeal 
to bring the light of your truth 
and the riches of your life and love to all, 
without any distinction 
of race, language or culture. 
May everyone on earth come to know you 
as the merciful Father of all 
through our brother and Saviour, 
Jesus Christ our Lord.

2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 8, 5-11

When he went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. 'Sir,' he said, 'my servant is lying at home paralysed and in great pain.' Jesus said to him, 'I will come myself and cure him.' 
The centurion replied, 'Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured. For I am under authority myself and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man, "Go," and he goes; to another, "Come here," and he comes; to my servant, "Do this," and he does it.' 
When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, 'In truth I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found faith as great as this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of Heaven."

3) Reflection

Today’s Gospel is a mirror. It reminds us of the words we say during the Mass at the moment of communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter my house, say but the word and I will be healed”.  Look at this text in the mirror, it suggests the following:
• The person who seeks Jesus is a pagan, a gentile, a soldier of the Roman army, which dominated and exploited the people. It is not religion nor the desire for God, but rather the need and the suffering which impels him to seek Jesus. Jesus has no prejudices. He does not demand anything first, he accepts and listens to the request of the Roman official. 
• Jesus’ answer surprises the centurion, because it is beyond his expectation. The centurion did not expect that Jesus would go to his house. He feels unworthy: “I am not worthy”. This means that he considered Jesus a highly superior person. 
• The centurion expresses his faith in Jesus saying: “Say only one word and my servant will be cured”. He believes that the word of Jesus is capable of healing. From where does he get this great faith? From his profession experience as a centurion! Because when a centurion gives an order, the soldier obeys. He has to obey! Thus he imagines Jesus: it is enough for Jesus to say one word, and things will happen according to his word. He believes the word of Jesus encloses a creative force.
• Jesus was surprised, astonished, and praises the faith of the centurion. Faith does not consist in accepting, repeating and decorating a doctrine, but in believing and trusting in the word of Jesus.

4) Personal questions

• Placing myself in the place of Jesus: how do I accept and listen to the persons of other religions?
• Placing myself in the place of the centurion: which is the personal experience that leads me to believe in Jesus?

5) Concluding Prayer

Come near to me with your saving power,
let me share the happiness of your chosen ones, 
let me share the joy of your people. (Ps 106)

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