Homily For Tuesday First Week of Advent Year C, 3rd December, 2024. The Memorial of St. Francis Xavier

 

Readings Isaiah 11:1-10, Ps 72, Luke 10:21-24

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

EXPERIENCING THE JOY OF CHRIST’S MISSIONARY WORK

As we begin another new day, we continue with the event of Advent, when we reflect on the two-fold coming of the Lord. We are called to spend more time with God and prepare ourselves for his mission just like the disciples in our Gospel passage today.

For after the seventy disciples of Jesus returned from the mission he sent them. They rejoiced concerning the great things they had done in his name. So, Jesus says, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see…”.

Here, Jesus rejoiced in his disciples, because of the grace God his Father has given to them to share in the mission of the Son. Yes, the disciples are blessed because, in Jesus, they are beginning to recognize the long-awaited Messiah, which prophets and Kings longed to see but could not.

This is what we heard from prophet Isaiah in our first reading today when he said: a shoot springs from the stock of Jesse, a scion thrusts from his roots: on him, the spirit of the Lord rests. His word is a rod that strikes the ruthless, his sentences bring death to the wicked. Integrity is the loincloth round his waist, faithfulness the belt about his hips. That day, the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the people. It will be sought out by the nations and its home will be glorious.

Dear friends, like the disciples, we also have been given this same grace. Whenever we spread the word of God, we are sharing in the mission of Jesus, and this should give us great joy because God chose us and gave us the privilege to share in the mission of his Son. Jesus has brought his salvation into the world, for the restoration of hope for all humanity who dwell in darkness in need of the light of Christ, which we are called to embrace in this season of Advent.

So let us keep spreading the Good News of Christ to humanity by our way of life, just like St Francis Xavier, whose memorial we celebrate today. Xavier was known to have conducted his life's work with great vitality and zeal. His missionary work came from the support and prayers he was receiving from those who sent him and from the beauty from which he viewed his service. He was serving God and helping others. And he was helping others by helping them to find God.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we embrace your words this season, through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier may we share greatly in the mission of Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. Wishing you a glorious day.