Jesus askes, ”What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and his life?” (Matthew 16:26a). The words
were repeated to young teacher of philosophy who had a highly promising career in academics, with success and a life
prestige and honor before him.
Francis Xavier, 24 at the time, and teaching in Paris, did not heed these words at once. They came from a good
friend, Ignatius if Loyola, whose tireless persuasion finally won the young man to Christ. Francis then made the
spiritual exercises under the direction of Ignatius, and in 1534 joined his little community (the infant Society of
Jesus). Together at Montmartre they poverty, chastity and apostolic service according to the directions of the pope.
From Venice, where he was ordained priest in 1537, Francis Xavier went on to Lisbon and from there sailed to East
Indies, landing at Goa, on the west coast of India. For the next 10 years he labored to bring the faith to such
widely scattered people as the Hindus, the Malayans and the Japanese.
Wherever he went, he lived with the poorest people, sharing their food and rough accommodations. He spent countless
hours ministering to the sick and the poor, particularly to lepers very often he had no time to sleep or even to
say his breviary but, as we know from his letters, he was filled always with joy.
Francis went through the islands of Malaysia, then up to Japan. He learned enough Japanese to preach to simple
folk, to instruct and baptize, and to establish missions for those who were to follow him. From Japan he had
dreams of going to China, but this plan was never realized Before reaching the mainland he died.
Our preaching is not necessarily on distant shores but to our families, our children, our husband or wife, our
coworkers. And we are called to preach not with words, but by our everyday lives. Only by sacrifice, the giving
up of all selfish gain, could Francis Xavier be free to bear the Good News to the world. Sacrifice is leaving
yourself behind at times for a greater good, the good, the good of prayer, the good of helping someone in need,
the good of just listening to another. The greatest gift we have is our time. Francis gave his to others.