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Memorial of St. Francis Xavier
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4B, 4CD-5, 6-7, 8-9
Matthew 8:5-11
Summary
These readings are filled with the sense of humility and surrender,
care for each other and hope for a bright future.
Reflection
A sense of calm came to me while reading these verses. It seemed to
make life with God as our Lord a very simple prospect: Go to God˅s
house in whatever way you can get there, implore him of your needs,
humble yourself, listen to his instruction (the hardest part), and pray
for a brighter future for you and those you love.
Each of these readings are simple mini-stories teaching us how to
approach God, and how to conduct ourselves in His house. I remem-
ber at a retreat once, I rose early and went to a Lectio Divina medita-
tion. It was my first time, so there was an adjustment sitting quietly
and just listening and contemplating, eyes closed. The scripture was
the 23
rd
Psalm. Heard it a million times, right? Well, by the time the
lector had softly and slowly read it the third time, and I heard for the
third time that I would ˈlive in the Lord˅s house foreverˉ (not sure
what Bible version that was), a sense of peace I had never felt came
over me. I felt like I had finally found
belonging
, and a real security, a
house better than any other house, in-
cluding the house I grew up in. It was a
revelation, a moment I will never forget.
God˅s house seemed so tangible, so
real. I could just picture myself walking