HOMILY: FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER
03 DECEMBER 2011, AT 10.30 HOURS
ARCHDIOCESE OF GOA AND DAMAN
Ez 03: 16-21; I Cor 9: 16-19, 22-23; Mk 16: 15-20

 My dear Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, Rev. Fathers, the Religious and my dear brothers and sisters,

You have come here to celebrate the feast of St. Francis Xavier, whose relic is here in this Basilica. You are gathered here as one community, as one pilgrim people of God, to thank God for the gift of St. Francis Xavier to us and to the Church. Here you experience the love of God, pray for God’s blessings, graces and guidance. You offer your gratitude for everything the Lord has bestowed through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier. You are pilgrims on a journey, trusting in God, to give to others, an experience of his love, for “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn 3: 16) You are also gathered here to share his message of good news with others, as you heard in today’s Gospel, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation.” (Mk 16: 15) You experience God’s love as you share his word to others. Today my dear brothers and sisters, I would like to share a few reflections about the love of God in the life of St. Francis Xavier and in the lives of all.