1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23 / Mark 16:15-20
St.
Francis Xavier was a student of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and he was the
co-founder of the Society of Jesus and one of the first seven Jesuits
who were formed in 1534.
He led an extensive mission into Asia and he was influential in the spreading of the faith especially in India.
He even
ventured as far as China but he was only able to reach what is now Hong
Kong. In fact, he died there on the 3rd December 1552.
Along the
way, he also converted many peoples in India, especially Goa, and also
in Indonesia and Japan. He is said to have converted more people than
anyone else has done since St. Paul.
For this reason he is the patron saint of the missions, together with St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
And like St. Paul, St. Francis Xavier also considered preaching the Good News not just as a duty but also as a blessing.
Like what St. Paul said in the 1st reading, he made himself as a slave to everyone so as to win as many for God as he could.
Like St. Paul, St. Francis Xavier also made himself all things to all men in order to save some at any cost.
Like St.
Paul, St. Francis Xavier left behind a legacy of missionary work and
spirit that formed the blueprint and foundations of the Catholic faith
in the countries.
As the Lord Jesus promised, He worked with St. Francis Xavier and confirmed His word with signs.
We have
seen these signs, and may we continue to see these signs so that we in
turn will proclaim the Good News, like St. Francis Xavier did.