Breaking the Word

1^st week of Advent, Tuesday – 03^rd December 2024 – Isa 61,1-3; Lk 10,1-16

Epitome of Missionary Madness

Saint Francis Xavier, an apostle mad with Saint Paul’s madness, is a marvelous example of a great missionary, visionary and a prophet. The zeal he displayed, the novel methods he used, the wonderful miracles he performed, and the great number of souls he brought to the light of true faith, entitled him to this distinction. In a short span of ten years (1542-1552), he visited so many countries in South Asian region (India, Sri Lanka, Malacca and the Maluku Islands, Japan and China), traversed so many seas, preached the Gospel to so many nations, and converted so many peoples. He stands unique in his apostolic zeal since the time of the Apostles.

Francis Xavier left behind a precious legacy of letters by which he kept Ignatius Loyola, the Jesuit founder and his dear friend, informed of his missionary endeavours. During his missionary life, he suffered extreme hardship, wore himself out with ceaseless activity, but lived a deeply spiritual life. Francis was a man of his times, and his methods were followed by later Jesuit missionaries such as John de Brito and Matteo Ricci, but there was no doubt about his integrity and his zeal. He is remembered for his tireless efforts in proclaiming the Gospel in foreign lands and for his solidarity in word and lifestyle with the poor.

Jesus commissions every disciple of all ages “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation” (Mk 16,15). This proclamation of the Good News which began in Jesus at the beginning of the Mark’s gospel (Mk 1,15) now concludes mandating his followers. The inclusive nature of Good News is to be proclaimed to all creation in every field of human endeavour. Living the Good News through struggle, misunderstanding, joy, loyalty, suffering until death and with the hope of the resurrection is what following Jesus is all about.

34^th Week in Ord. Time, Thursday – 28^th Nov. 2024 –Rev 18,1-2.21-23; 19,1-3.9; Lk 21,20-28

Banquet for the Faithful Bride

Today’s first reading ends with the fourth of the seven beatitudes (Rev 1,3; 14,13; 16,15; 19,9; 20,6; 22,7; 22,14) scattered throughout the book: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” In his vision of Revelation, John presents that the voices cry out joyfully that the Lord reigns and the marriage supper of the Lamb is ready. He shows how Christ fulfills God’s Old Testament promises through the Church (Jn 3,29; Mt 8,11). Jesus spoke about marriage suppers in Mt 22,1-14 and Mt 25,1-13. In the Church, the spotless bride, God’s plan from the dawn of time is accomplished and Christ’s victory is realized. His victory over the devil is finally complete. And all of this converges in the event called the marriage supper of the Lamb. Jerusalem’s persecution of the Church has prepared her as a bride for Christ, the Lamb of God. The Church is wedded to Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb, which is the Eucharist, where she enters into communion with the flesh of her bridegroom and Lord. The message of Revelation culminates with the hope that the evil never has the last word. Truth, goodness and justice will lead to the completion of the Lord’s banquet promises.