Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Lectionary: 177
Lectionary: 177
On this mountain
the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.
will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
“Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.
Responsorial Psalm PS 23:1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6
R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the
days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, the Lord comes to save his people;
blessed are those prepared to meet him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel MT 15:29-37
At that time:
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,
went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
Great crowds came to him,
having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute,
and many others.
They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking,
the deformed made whole,
the lame walking,
and the blind able to see,
and they glorified the God of Israel.
Jesus summoned his disciples and said,
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,
for they have been with me now for three days
and have nothing to eat.
I do not want to send them away hungry,
for fear they may collapse on the way.”
The disciples said to him,
“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place
to satisfy such a crowd?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,
gave thanks, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,
went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
Great crowds came to him,
having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute,
and many others.
They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking,
the deformed made whole,
the lame walking,
and the blind able to see,
and they glorified the God of Israel.
Jesus summoned his disciples and said,
“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,
for they have been with me now for three days
and have nothing to eat.
I do not want to send them away hungry,
for fear they may collapse on the way.”
The disciples said to him,
“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place
to satisfy such a crowd?”
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.”
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,
gave thanks, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.
Meditation: "This is the LORD; we have waited for him"
What can satisfy the
deepest hunger and longing of the human heart? Isaiah prophesied that God would
provide a heavenly banquet for all peoples and would destroy death once and for
all (Isaiah 25:6-8). Jesus came to fulfill that promise. Jesus' miracles are
both a sign of God’s kingdom and a demonstration of God's power. They also show
the magnitude of God’s mercy.
When the disciples
were confronted by Jesus with the task of feeding four thousand people many
miles away from any source of food, they exclaimed: Where in this
remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them? The Israelites
were confronted with the same dilemma when they fled Egypt and found themselves
in a barren wilderness. Like the miraculous provision of manna in the
wilderness, Jesus, himself provides bread in abundance for the hungry crowd who
came out into the desert to seek him. The gospel records that all were
satisfied and they took up what was leftover.
In the multiplication
of the loaves and fishes we see a sign and a symbol of what God always does.
God knows our needs and he cares. When God gives, he gives in abundance. The
gospel account records that the leftovers from the miraculous meal was more
than seven times the amount they began with. Seven is a symbol of completion
and wholeness. When God gives, he gives until we are satisfied. When God works
for his people he gives abundantly - more than we could deserve and more than
we need. He nourishes us with his life-giving word and with the bread of
heaven. In the kingdom of heaven God will feast us at his banquet table. Are
you satisfied with God's provision for you? And do you long with expectant hope
for the coming of his kingdom in all its fulness?
Lord Jesus, you alone
can satisfy the longing and hunger in our hearts. May I thirst for your kingdom
and find joy in your presence. Give me the true bread of heaven and nourish me
with your life-giving word."
 A Decisive Response |
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December 3, 2014.
Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
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Matthew 15:29-37
At that time: Jesus
walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed,
the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made
whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the
God of Israel. Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with
pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have
nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may
collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough
bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them,
“How many loaves do you have?” “Seven”, they replied, “and a few fish.” He
ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves
and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They
picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.
Introductory
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I now turn
confidently to you, who are my friend and savior. You are always watching
over me and protecting me whether I am mindful of you or not. Thank you. I
love you, and I’m grateful for these moments to refresh myself in your
presence.
Petition: My Jesus, give me an unshakeable confidence in your
unconditional love.
1. Jesus on the
Mountain: Jesus is the focal
point of history and of all human aspirations. Even when he goes to
out-of-the-way places, as is the case in this Gospel passage, he is sought
after. He strides by the Sea of Galilee and scales up the mountain, and all
humanity seeks him out. He doesn’t interrogate them about their past or
condemn them for their sins. He simply gives to each what he or she needs: to
the blind, sight; to the mute, the gift of speech; to the deaf, hearing. Imagine
for a moment this poor mass of humanity around the Master. Place yourself
with them. Your turn comes, and suddenly it is as if the crowd disappears and
you are alone with Jesus. He looks into your eyes with loving concern and
asks what you are seeking––even though he already knows it. My Jesus, it is
you that I seek. Heal me, and do not let any sin separate me from you today.
2. “They Have
Nothing to Eat.” Love is not
always very practical. Jesus’ heart is moved with compassion for all those
who have sought him out. He knows the sacrifices that they have made in
searching him out, and he is not going to leave them disappointed. The
disciples saw only the practical problem, but in his charity towards his
neighbor, Jesus all but ignores it. What can I learn from Christ’s attitude?
Will I ever be let down or not be satisfied if I seek Christ with a sincere
heart?
3. The Bread of
Life: The miracle that Jesus
works in multiplying the loaves is a prelude to an even greater miracle he
plans to bring about. Jesus knows the longings of our hearts, and he knows
that material food has its limits, even when it is abundant. St Augustine
states, “You made us for yourself, Oh Lord, and our hearts are restless until
they rest in you.” How can I not trust that Jesus will always provide for
what I truly need, after his lowering himself to appear as bread so that we
can feed on him and be satisfied?
Conversation with
Christ: My Jesus, I have a very
wayward heart. I know that you are the only one who can fulfill the longing of
my soul; yet so often I put my confidence in the fleeting things of this
world instead. Reassure my heart that you will always provide for me if I put
all my trust in you. Keep me going up the mountain towards your heavenly
Kingdom, where you will be all in all.
Resolution: I will pause sometime during the day––perhaps before
lunch––and make a spiritual communion by inviting Christ into my heart. I
will thank him for the gift of himself in the blessed Eucharist and renew my
confidence in him.
By Father John
Doyle, LC
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, MATTHEW 15:29-37
(Isaiah 25:6-10a; Psalm 23)
(Isaiah 25:6-10a; Psalm 23)
KEY VERSE: "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd" (v 32).
READING: Like Moses, Jesus went up on a mountain to teach the people. A compassionate teacher, he had concern for the needs of his people, both spiritual and physical. He took pity on the crowd that had been following him for three days and were without food. The disciples were at a loss as to how they could feed so many hungry people. Jesus took seven loaves of bread and some fish, gave thanks, broke the bread, and distributed it to the disciples who in turn satisfied the hungry crowd. This “Gentile feeding” corresponds to the “Jewish feeding” (Matthew 14:13–21). The seven remaining baskets signified the fullness of God's care for all people, gentile and Jew. These same acts: taking, thanking, breaking and offering are what priests do in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Mass. The "breaking of the bread" was an early name for the Eucharist (Greek, eucharistia, "the giving of thanks," Acts.2:42).
REFLECTING: In what ways do I feed God's hungry people?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, I give you thanks for satisfying my hunger in your Eucharistic presence.
Memorial of Francis Xavier, priest
Francis Xavier was a friend of St. Ignatius of Loyola who convinced him to use his talents to spread the Gospel. Francis then made the spiritual exercises under the direction of Ignatius, and in 1534 joined his community, the Society of Jesus. Together at Montmartre they vowed poverty, chastity and apostolic service according to the directions of the pope. A priest, he was a tremendously successful missionary for ten years in India, baptizing 10,000 in a single month. He 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 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 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. He and St. Therese of Lisieux were declared co-patrons of the missions in 1925.
Wednesday 3 December 2014
St Francis Xavier. Isaiah 25:6-10.
I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life—Ps 22(23).
Matthew 15:29-37.
Today’s gospel speaks of
God’s promise of abundance for those who follow him.
From meagre rations, Jesus
not only satisfies the hungry crowd but provides enough for seven baskets full
of left-overs. Like all miracles, this event points to God’s desire to not only
satisfy our spiritual needs but to overwhelm us with his grace in order to
reach beyond ourselves and touch the lives of others.
The exploits of St Francis
Xavier in India and further East is the stuff of legend. As with the loaves and
fish, the numbers he is believed to have baptised are almost beyond
comprehension. A highly talented young man, these gifts were multiplied upon
becoming a companion of Ignatius and Peter Faber. While his methods of
evangelisation may seem out-dated today, his zeal continues to serve as a model
of what is possible when we allow God to enter our lives.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
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Full of Keen Desire
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Our keenest desire is to come to know the Christ who, as a just
judge, comes to us in mercy and humility, in communion with us with his Body
and Blood. With Jesus, who first came among us as an infant, we wait for the
fulfillment of that coming when God will become all in all.
December
3
St. Francis Xavier
(1506-1552)
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. He and St.
Therese of Lisieux were declared co-patrons of the missions in 1925.
Stories:
Francis died on the island of Sancian, a hundred miles southwest
of Hong Kong. In his final sickness he had to be removed from the ship because
the Portuguese sailors feared that kindness to him would offend their master.
They were forced to leave him on the sands of the shore, exposed to a bitter
wind, but a Portuguese merchant led him into a ramshackle hut. He prayed
continually, between spasms of delirium and the doubtful therapy of bleeding.
He grew weaker and weaker. “I [Anthony, his friend] could see that he was
dying, and put a lighted candle in his hand. Then, with the name of Jesus on
his lips, he gave his spirit to his Creator and Lord with great peace and
repose.”
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.
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
Japan
Missionaries
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 15,29-37
Lectio:
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
1st Week of Advent
1) Opening prayer
God of all people,
you know how people hunger and thirst
for truth, love and acceptance.
If we accept you and believe in you
we see our deepest trust and aspirations
being fulfilled by you
as we work for the coming of your kingdom.
Help us to let the cup that you pour for us
overflow on all your people,
that all may praise you
now and for ever.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 15, 29-37
Jesus went on from there and reached the shores of the Lake of Galilee, and he went up onto the mountain. He took his seat, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel. But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, or they might collapse on the way.' The disciples said to him, 'Where in a deserted place could we get sufficient bread for such a large crowd to have enough to eat?' Jesus said to them, 'How many loaves have you?' They said, 'Seven, and a few small fish.' Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks he broke them and began handing them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.
3) Reflection
Today’s Gospel is like the rising sun. It is always the same sun, every day, which rejoices life and renders plants fertile. The greatest danger is routine. Routine kills the Gospel and extinguishes the sun of life.
• The elements which form the picture of the Gospel are always the same: Jesus, the mountain, the sea, the crowds, the sick, the needy, the problems of life. In spite of the fact of knowing them well, like the sun of every day, these same elements always bring a new message.
• Like Moses, Jesus goes up to the mountain and the people gather around him. They bring their problems with them: the sick, the lame, the blind, the mute, the deaf, so many problems… Not only the big ones but also the small ones. They are the beginning of the new People of God who gather together around the new Moses. Jesus cures all of them.
• Jesus calls the Disciples. He has compassion of the people who have nothing to eat . According to the Disciples, the solution has to come from outside: “Where to find bread to feed so many people?” According to Jesus the solution has to come from the people: “How many loaves have you?” “Seven and a few small fish”. With these few loaves of bread and small fish Jesus satisfies the hunger of all, and there are even some left over. If today people would share what they have, there would be no hunger in the world. Many things would be left over! Truly, another world is possible!
• The account of the multiplication of the loaves recalls the Eucharist and reveals its value in saying: “Jesus, took the bread in his hands, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his Disciples”.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus feels compassion. Is there any compassion in me, in the face of the problems of humanity? Do I do something about it?
• The Disciples expect that the solution comes from outside. Jesus asks for the solution from within? And I?.
5) Concluding Prayer
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose. (Ps 23)
God of all people,
you know how people hunger and thirst
for truth, love and acceptance.
If we accept you and believe in you
we see our deepest trust and aspirations
being fulfilled by you
as we work for the coming of your kingdom.
Help us to let the cup that you pour for us
overflow on all your people,
that all may praise you
now and for ever.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 15, 29-37
Jesus went on from there and reached the shores of the Lake of Galilee, and he went up onto the mountain. He took his seat, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel. But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, or they might collapse on the way.' The disciples said to him, 'Where in a deserted place could we get sufficient bread for such a large crowd to have enough to eat?' Jesus said to them, 'How many loaves have you?' They said, 'Seven, and a few small fish.' Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks he broke them and began handing them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.
3) Reflection
Today’s Gospel is like the rising sun. It is always the same sun, every day, which rejoices life and renders plants fertile. The greatest danger is routine. Routine kills the Gospel and extinguishes the sun of life.
• The elements which form the picture of the Gospel are always the same: Jesus, the mountain, the sea, the crowds, the sick, the needy, the problems of life. In spite of the fact of knowing them well, like the sun of every day, these same elements always bring a new message.
• Like Moses, Jesus goes up to the mountain and the people gather around him. They bring their problems with them: the sick, the lame, the blind, the mute, the deaf, so many problems… Not only the big ones but also the small ones. They are the beginning of the new People of God who gather together around the new Moses. Jesus cures all of them.
• Jesus calls the Disciples. He has compassion of the people who have nothing to eat . According to the Disciples, the solution has to come from outside: “Where to find bread to feed so many people?” According to Jesus the solution has to come from the people: “How many loaves have you?” “Seven and a few small fish”. With these few loaves of bread and small fish Jesus satisfies the hunger of all, and there are even some left over. If today people would share what they have, there would be no hunger in the world. Many things would be left over! Truly, another world is possible!
• The account of the multiplication of the loaves recalls the Eucharist and reveals its value in saying: “Jesus, took the bread in his hands, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his Disciples”.
4) Personal questions
• Jesus feels compassion. Is there any compassion in me, in the face of the problems of humanity? Do I do something about it?
• The Disciples expect that the solution comes from outside. Jesus asks for the solution from within? And I?.
5) Concluding Prayer
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose. (Ps 23)
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