"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven" - Matthew 7:21
Today marks the feast day of Saint Francis Xavier, who is the patron saint of Catholic missions. As a priest in 1541, he was sent on a mission to help encourage the faith of Portuguese settlers colonizing India. Xavier went about building churches and evangelizing to the people, teaching them about the faith they were never taught.
Today's Gospel reading focuses on listening and taking action on the will of God. St. Francis Xavier's life shows his constant seeking out to invite the people who felt alone, hurt, or confused and how he brought them over to see the gracious and merciful God. He did not let fear or discomfort stop him from proclaiming the goodness of God and continued to invite people in the face of difficulty. He allowed himself to be ready to listen to God's voice and to take action becoming a walking witness of the Lord, being a missionary everywhere he went.
As we prepare for the coming of Christ this Advent season, let us take time to pray about who we can invite to join us on this preparation.
Who is the Lord calling me to share the goodness of the Lord and invite to the faith?
Lord, help me to reflect on St. Francis Xavier's life and recognize who You are calling me to invite during this Advent.
Reflection by:
Madison Marsh
