The Memorial of St Francis Xavier

Ish 11:1-10, Lk. 10:21-24. Today's first reading may sound like an innocent fairy-tale, but embedded in it is a tragic truth: "The wolf lives with the lamb, the panther lies down with the kid, calf and lion feed together, with a little boy to lead them..." The stump of Jesse refers to the mighty dynasty of king David that has been cut down like a tree. Nothing remains but a dry stump and some hidden roots. When this tree was cut down by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. the people were shocked to realise that the dynasty was not really eternal. Isaiah knew that God must always be true to His word; hence the dynasty in some way will revive.

The spirit of the Lord will rest upon the stump and the roots of Jesse and the people of God will bloom again. This leads to the vision of Isaiah about the Messianic age. Perhaps calves and young lions will never browse together, literally and surely babies should never be allowed to play beside the cobra’s den. Yet the dream of universal peace and gentle trust where enemy nations shall dwell in peace. Surely faith expected in these creative ways, for Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit in today's Gospel and says: “I offer you praise, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because what you have hidden from the learned and the clever you have revealed to mere children.” God can reveal the mystery of His Kingdom and bring reversal of fortune only when we become humble, faithful and be people of integrity. St Francis Xavier (1506 - 1552) whose memorial we celebrate lived with integrity in India and fought against the exploitation of the native population by the Europeans. He was born in the Basque country of Spain in 1506. He met Ignatius Loyola when he was a student in Paris and was ordained priest in 1537.

May the Lord tear down the walls of hatred between nations and build His words in our thoughts, on our lips, in our heart and be our guide on life’s journey! Amen!! Good morning and have a gracious day!!!