At the heart of the missionary impulse lies love. Because you love this person you want them to be happy, to live life to the full. You share with them the good news that gives you joy and provides meaning to your life as if bringing bread to a starving man. On this day when the Church remembers St. Francis Xavier that missionary impulse to love you neighbor is writ large. “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” Jesus said. Our love can’t be limited to our circle or our culture but must be expansive, even to “the lost.” Francis Xavier cared so much for the people of the Orient that he spent his life spreading the message of hope to them.
