Bible Reflections I 03.12.2021 - Friday I Indraya Manna I

Advent: Week 1

Readings 

           I - Is. 29: 17-24 

          II - Mt. 9: 27-32

St. Francis Xavier (Priest), Solemnity

               

CALLED TO BE HERALDS OF HOPE 

                  

The blessed hope prophesied in the first reading by Prophet Isaiah is fulfilled in the coming of the Promised One, Jesus as we read in the Gospel passage, the healing of the two blind men.  The hope of the two blind men that they would see and the faith in Jesus that he can heal obtained a miracle for them.  They went with hope; were healed in faith and thereafter they became the messengers of that Good News throughout that district.  

We are in the first week of the advent reflecting on theme: Hope.  The hope in the Promised One for whom we await indeed will come as a fulfillment of our hope to wipe away every tear from all faces and the disgrace of His people, making all things anew (Is. 25:8, Rev. 21:4). We Christians, modelled after the mind and heart of our Master Jesus Christ, should infuse and strengthen the hope of the depressed, oppressed and the helpless around us thereby giving them the glimpse of the One who is to come in glory and establish his Kingdom forever. 

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Francis Xavier, a legendary missionary from Spain.  He was an ardent follower of Christ and a daring missionary with great zeal and commitment. Francis Xavier, in his younger days had various ambitions and plans for his future.  Disturbed by the Word of God, “For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?” (Mt. 16:26), Francis Xavier, gave away all his dreams and desires; and determined to follow Christ leaving his country and people behind.  He dared to be a missionary to set the light of Christ thereby infusing hope and faith in the Lord Jesus.  He preached along the coastal areas of Goa, various parts of South India, Malaya and Japan and turned many hearts towards Christ. May the saint intercede for us that we may become effective heralds of hope, wherever we are.  Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “St. Francis Xavier, Pray for us”.