December 3rd: MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST (Mk 16:15-20)- THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- Dec 4
- 4 min read
FIRST READING - 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23
"Woe to me if I do not preach it!"
A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
16 If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! 17 If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my recompense? That, when I preach, I offer the gospel free of charge so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
19 [a]Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. 23 All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mk 16:15-20
Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel
✠From the Gospel according to Mark
15 He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.]
December 3rd: MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PRIEST (Mk 16:15-20)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Francis Xavier, who is known as the Apostle of East Asia.
His motto in life is: “God alone is everything." The apostle is nothing, and can do nothing without God’s intervention.”
Today’s chosen Word of God speaks of Jesus granting His power to the apostles before He ascended to heaven.
He instructed them: when they go out to preach, they must live according to what He has taught, so that the power and strength of God may manifest in those who have lived and are living according to God's teachings.
Only the power and authority of the Most High God can frighten Satan and bring Satan out of the souls they are holding captive.
God wants to tell all humanity that He is the Father who loves everyone. He gives power and strength not only to the apostles but to all those who have absolute faith in His power; that is, He gives them control over Satan and the power to heal all diseases and infirmities; but on one condition: those who follow Jesus must live and act according to what God teaches, then that power and strength will be shown in words and actions when exorcising Satan and healing diseases.
God emphasizes one thing: When those who use God’s name to cast out Satan, they are only instruments that God uses, for it is God Himself who casts out Satan and heals the sick and sinners through that chosen person.
Therefore, humans are only His instruments; so they have nothing to be proud of, arrogant, or haughty about.
When humans are arrogant and think they can do everything, leaving God out, Satan will take advantage of that weakness to tempt, stalk, and steal the souls of those people.
Indeed, humans are only sinners before God and their brothers and sisters.
As sinners, do not show off to other sinners, do not demand, blame, or judge your brothers and sisters.
Always be aware that you are only an imperfect servant chosen and given power by God.
And always say to your Master after each day of work: Lord, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.” (Luke 17:10).
Therefore, today’s Word of God warns the apostles and all those who are following Jesus to be vigilant in all places and at all times.
Be vigilant in your words, actions, and deeds when casting out Satan.
Always put God above all things, and obey and practice in accordance with God's words, then Satan will have to submit.
For they only fear the light of God's Word, they fear the power and strength of God manifested in faithful disciples, those who are living according to His Word and carrying out His commandments.
Today's Word of God warns everyone: in every thought, in every word and deed, always do it for the glory of God; do not do it for your own glory, do not fall into the temptations and snares of Satan; for they make people crave for worldly honor and glory, thereby obscuring God's name.
Once again, God warns His disciples: always be aware of your sinful status when chosen by God to be part of His plan; always examine yourself every day to acknowledge your sins, to humbly ask for forgiveness from God and from your brothers and sisters.
And when God grants you the power and authority to cast out Satan and heal all illnesses for your brothers and sisters, you should be vigilant to listen to and practice the Word of God, act according to His commands, do not act on your own will; always be simple, trust and completely surrender to God, be humble so that your heart is empty in all things, then Satan will loose and will not be able to harm you and the patients and sinners that God sends to you.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
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