Saint Francis Xavier, Priest
Wednesday of the 1st week of Advent
Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10a
Isaiah’s prophecy unveils the deepest longing of Advent: the promise of a God who does not remain distant but comes to heal the human heart at its most vulnerable point. On His holy mountain, the Lord prepares a feast rich with joy, communion, and abundance, sign of a salvation meant for all peoples. And at the center of this promise stands a tender gesture: “The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces.” Advent is the season when we allow this hope to draw near, not as an abstract idea but as a personal truth. God comes to wipe my tears, your tears, the hidden tears of the world. He comes to remove every shroud of fear, guilt, or sorrow that burdens us. In this light, the missionary zeal of Saint Francis Xavier becomes clear: he rushed across continents to announce that such a God is real, One who heals, gathers, and embraces every human being. Let’s reflect: Advent is the time when we open our hearts to the God who draws close to wipe every tear, replacing sorrow with the joyful communion of His saving love.
Don Giorgio