December 03 2021 - St. Francis Xavier - The hand extended to sinners

 I’ll never forget my first trip to Rome and visiting all the different Churches. Many of the Churches are administrated by the diocese and priests of Rome itself. Some are run by the different religious orders. The Jesuits run a few churches in Rome, but most impressive, however, is their mother Church, La Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù, the Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, or the Gesu, for short.

And there on the side altar of this immense, beautiful baroque church, is the incorrupt relic of the right hand and arm of St. Francis Xavier, the great Jesuit missionary, who is honored today. The rest of his incorrupt body is laid in Goa, India, where he was sent by Ignatius in 1540 to evangelize. He also traveled to Japan and is known as the first apostle of the Philippines. 

But it is there in Rome, where his incorrupt right hand and arm are is enshrined in this golden reliquary. And it is so fitting that it is his arm that is so enshrined. For that arm baptized and blessed thousands and thousands of new converts, probably close to a hundred thousand converts. That arm poured water to become a conduit of God, it called down blessing for so many. A tremendously powerful image.

St. Francis Xavier is one of the great Patron Saints of Missionaries, and it is good to celebrate this missionary saint here at the beginning of Advent. Jesus himself was a missionary, sent by the Father for the work of salvation. We are to receive Jesus as we would receive a missionary who delivers to us the most important message of our lives. He is the Word that brings salvation, the hand extended to sinners, as we say in the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation. 

Advent helps us to quiet down, to remove the spiritual clutter, in order to receive His Word more deeply, to receive The Word, more deeply.

But the one who receives is also called to give, to pass on. To receive the missionary Christ we must be willing to become a missionary as well. Just as St. Francis Xavier was sent by his superior to the farthest ends of the earth, we are sent, to carry the reconciling word of Christ, to extend the reach of the saving hand of God. 

Pope Francis reminds us that we are missionary disciples. Disciples with a mission, disciples sent out by God, to extend the blessing, truth, salvation, goodness, peace, and love of Jesus to everyone. May this holy Advent, and this great Advent saint, Francis Xavier, continue to stir up our faith, that we may more willingly and courageously extend that faith to others, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Pope Francis, Bishop Malesic, and all of the ordained, that their ministry may be effective in leading the Church in spreading Christ’s saving Gospel.

That our elected officials, judges, government leaders and people of good will may work together in defending innocent human life, working for the common good, and righting injustice.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, for the Jesuit Order’s faithfulness to the mission of Christ, and through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier, for the sanctity, safety, and success of all missionaries.

For all whose lives are marked by suffering, disease or sorrow, may they come to know the healing and peace of Christ.

For the deceased of our parish, family and friends, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Almighty ever-living God, who bring salvation to all and desire that no one should perish, hear the prayers of your people and grant that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and your Church rejoice in tranquility and devotion. Through Christ our Lord.