'Tis the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest, S.J. (1506-1552, the "Apostle to the Far East," A.K.A. Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta), co-founder of the Jesuits (S.J.), formally the Society of Jesus: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Order-link S.J., & Wikipedia-link S.J.
Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Francis Xavier, S.J., was a Navarrese Catholic missionary who was a co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was a companion of Saint Ignatius of Loyola [31 July] & one of the first seven Jesuits who took vows of poverty & chastity at Montmartre, Paris.'Tis also the festival of Saint Cassian of Tangier, Martyr (died 298), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Birinus of Dorchester, Bishop (circa 600-650, the "Apostle of Wessex"), inaugural Bishop of Dorchester (634-650): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Dorchester.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Abbo of Auxerre, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 860), Bishop of Auxerre (857-859), abbot of the Abbey of Saint-Germain d'Auxerre: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Diocese-link Auxerre & Wikipedia-link Auxerre, & Wikipedia-link Saint-Germain d'Auxerre.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Emma of Lesum (circa 975-1038; A.K.A. of Bremen, of Stiepel; also spelt Hemma, Imma): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Sister of the bishop Bl. Meinwerk of Paderborn [5 June].
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Edward Colman, Martyr (1636-1678, also spelt Coleman), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king Charles II, a victim of the perjurer Titus Oates's "Popish Plot" hoax: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Popish Plot-link & Wikipedia-link Popish Plot.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Johann Nepomuk von Tschiderer zu Gleifheim, Bishop (1777-1860), Bishop of Trent (1834-1860): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Trent.
Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
The Book of Isaiah, chapter eleven, verses one thru ten;
Psalm Seventy-two (R/. see seven), verses one & two, seven & eight, twelve & thirteen, & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses twenty-one thru twenty-four.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus places a high value on childlikeness. What is it about "the childlike" that Jesus prizes? Jesus himself is the child, the Son who has received everything from his Father. He lives in an attitude of receptivity, taking in all that the Father has given him. His is a life of obedience. He is not in command of his life, but he receives it as a gift.Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This is what it means to be a little child: to have an attitude of receptivity that allows you to be moved by God and by God’s ways. The problem with "the wise and the learned" is not that they’re educated, but that they are trying to govern and run their own lives on their own terms rather than living in obedience to God. The truly wise are those who are like Christ: little children in relation to God.
Reflect: How do you need to be more like a child and look to God to receive all that he wants to give you?
Advent of Hope Reflection (Array of Hope):
Our faith is a gift from God. Jesus wants to be known in our hearts and in our lives. He rejoices in our faithfulness and invites us to be in full union with Him, and reminds us to have a pure heart and childlike faith.Mass Readings—Memorial of St. Francis Xavier
Children yearn to be loved by their Father. Whether they receive that love, or grew up with a lack of it, it shapes the person they become. As children of God, we too long to be known and cherished. This yearning can only be satiated by God, our loving Father in Heaven. Our God, who protects us and loves us in a special and unique way that no one else can.
When a child needs something, he cries out to his parents and trusts that he will be comforted and that his needs will be granted. This is the faith we need. When we are struggling or in need, we cry out to the Lord and trust that He will be there as He promised and He will take care of us. Comfort someone today. Be there for a family member or friend in need. Let the love of Our Father in Heaven shine through you and outward onto others.
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter nine, verses sixteen thru nineteen, twenty-two, & twenty-three;
Psalm One Hundred Seventeen, verses one(b/c), two
(R/. the Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru twenty.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"The call to prayer must precede the call to action, but the call to action must truly accompany the call to prayer. In prayer we discover the needs of our brothers & sisters & make them our own, because in prayer we discover that their needs are the needs of Christ."Saint Quote o' the Day
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)
"Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to perfection."Chesterton Quote o' the Day
—St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547, feast day: 11 July)
"Step softly, under snow or rain,
To find the place where men can pray;
The way is all so very plain
That we may lose the way."
—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)
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