We all get hungry. We all have desires that yearn to be fulfilled. Today's Advent readings remind us that God wants to satisfy our deepest desires. God wants to nourish our bodies, our spirits, our whole person and gives us life.

St. Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary we celebrate today, was attune to God's desire to give humanity life and salvation. His heart was touched deeply by Mk:8:36 - What profit is it if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? On fire with Christ, Francis gained the courage to give up the honors of nobility and accepted being sent to new and challenging places. In saying 'yes' to Christ's mission, he became an instrument of God's plan of salvation. His drive to spread the good news brought the nourishment and life of Christ to people in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and greatly inspired later missionaries in China as well as the rest of Asia.

The mission of Francis continues today. God still wants to fulfill the deepest desires of every person. Who do I know that is searching, hurting, or hungry for God?