FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER - PRIEST - Gospel (Mk 16:15-20) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mk 16:18)

FIRST READING - Is 11:1-10

A reading from the Book of Isaiah

On that day,

A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,

and from his roots a bud shall blossom.

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:

a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

A Spirit of counsel and of strength,

a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,

and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.

Not by appearance shall he judge,

nor by hearsay shall he decide,

But he shall judge the poor with justice,

and decide aright for the land's afflicted.

He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,

and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

Justice shall be the band around his waist,

and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,

and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;

The calf and the young lion shall browse together,

with a little child to guide them.

The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,

together their young shall rest;

the lion shall eat hay like the ox.

The baby shall play by the cobra's den,

and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.

There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;

for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,

as water covers the sea.

On that day,

The root of Jesse,

set up as a signal for the nations,

The Gentiles shall seek out,

for his dwelling shall be glorious.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Lk 10:21-24

From the Gospel according to Luke

Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,

"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

for although you have hidden these things

from the wise and the learned

you have revealed them to the childlike.

Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

No one knows who the Son is except the Father,

and who the Father is except the Son

and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."

Turning to the disciples in private he said,

"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

For I say to you,

many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,

but did not see it,

and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."

FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER - PRIEST - Gospel (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, unless God intervenes.”

The Word of God chosen today speaks of Jesus giving 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 be manifested in those who have lived and are living according to God's teachings. Only the power and authority of the Supreme God can make Satan afraid and come out of the souls he holds captive.

God wants to tell all mankind: He is the Father who loves everyone. Therefore, He will give power and strength not only to the apostles but to all those who have absolute faith in Him; that is, He gives them power over Satan and the power to heal all diseases and disabilities; but on one condition, they must live and do what God teaches, then that power and strength will be shown in their words and actions when exorcising Satan and healing diseases.

God emphasizes one thing: When those who use the name of God to exorcise Satan, it is God Himself who exorcises Satan and heals the sick and sinners through that chosen person. Therefore, humans are only His instruments, so humans have nothing to be proud of, arrogant or haughty about. When people are arrogant and think they can do everything, leaving God out, Satan will take advantage of that weakness to tempt, stalk and steal their souls.

Indeed, people 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.’ (see Luke 17:10).

Therefore, the Word of God today warns the apostles and all those who are following Jesus: be vigilant in all places and at all times. Be vigilant in your words, actions and deeds when exorcising Satan. Always put God above all things, and listen and practice according to God's words, then Satan will have to submit. Because they only fear the light of God's Word, they fear the power and strength of God manifested in faithful disciples. These are 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 action, always do it for the glory of God; do not do it for your own glory, do not fall into the temptations and traps of Satan; because they make people crave for honor and worldly glory, and then overshadow God's name.

Once again, God warns His disciples: always be aware of your sinful status when being chosen by God to participate in His work; always examine yourself every day to recognize your sins, to humbly ask for forgiveness from God and from your brothers and sisters.

And when God gives you the power and strength to drive out Satan, to heal all illnesses for your brothers and sisters, then be awake to listen and practice the Word of God, do exactly as He commands, do not do according to your own will; always be simple, trust and completely surrender to God, be humble so that your heart is empty in everything, then Satan will be defeated and will not be able to harm yourself and the patients and sinners that God sends to you.

Thanks be to God. Amen.