Saint of the Day
St. Francis Xavier
Francis Xavier (1506–1552) was a Navarrese Jesuit missionary and co-founder of the Society of Jesus alongside Ignatius of Loyola. He is counted among the greatest missionaries of the church, having traveled to Goa, Sri Lanka, Malacca, the Moluccas, and Japan. He baptized tens of thousands and died while attempting to enter China, is patron of missionaries and foreign missions.
Scripture Reading
Malachi 3:2-3
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.
Reflection
Advent is not only sweet anticipation — it is also a summons to holiness. The One who comes is a refiner, and refining is necessary and sometimes uncomfortable work. Silver is purified by being held near the flame until the dross rises and can be skimmed away. God's purifying work in us this season is evidence of love, not punishment: he refines what he values.
Prayer for Today
Dear Lord,
Through the darkness, I look for your wisdom.
I want my heart to be open to you.
But sometimes in these days, it seems that
so many things come between us.
Help me to be awake and aware
of the radiance you bring to my life.
Help me to be grateful each day
for the blessings of family and friends.
Let me be a peacemaker
in my own life, and in the world.
Let me pray especially for this difficult world
and those who are so in need of an end to violence.
My heart begs for this as my Advent prayer today.
Through the darkness, I look for your wisdom.
I want my heart to be open to you.
But sometimes in these days, it seems that
so many things come between us.
Help me to be awake and aware
of the radiance you bring to my life.
Help me to be grateful each day
for the blessings of family and friends.
Let me be a peacemaker
in my own life, and in the world.
Let me pray especially for this difficult world
and those who are so in need of an end to violence.
My heart begs for this as my Advent prayer today.
Amen.