Saturday of the 1st week of Advent (Year I)
Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23 | Psalm 116(117):1-2 | Mark 16:15-20
I do not boast of preaching the gospel, since it is a duty which has been laid on me (1 Corinthians 9:16)
Many of us forget that this is our duty too, to preach the Good News which we have received to everyone we meet.
We may not use verbal exhortation, but others would certainly see how we address each other with respect, being mindful of our words and actions. This sort of “show, don’t tell” is our individual sermon to the world.
And it’s especially when they see us fall short of the ideals of love, and how we recover from our failings, then they would decide that there’s something to this Word of God after all.
Lord, help us be inspired by St. Francis Xavier, and grant us a portion of the gifts with which he was filled to overflowing: the fire of the Holy Spirit, true compassion for the suffering, and a thirst for souls. Amen.