Gospel: December 3, 2025
December 3, 2025 (Wednesday)
1st Week of Advent
Psalter: Week 1 / (White)
St. Francis Xavier, priest
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (6cd)
I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
1st Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10a
Gospel: Matthew 15:29-37
From there, Jesus went to the shore of Lake Galilee, and then went up into the hills, where he sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the dumb, the blind, the lame, the crippled, and many with other infirmities. People carried them to the feet of Jesus, and he healed them. All were astonished when they saw the dumb speaking, the lame walking, the crippled healed, and the blind able to see; and they glorified the God of Israel. Jesus called his disciples and said to them, “I am filled with compassion for these people; they have already followed me for three days and now have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away fasting, or they may faint on the way.” His disciples said to him, “And where shall we find enough bread in this wilderness to feed such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They answered, “Seven, and a few small fish.” Jesus ordered the people to sit on the ground. Then, he took the seven loaves and the small fish, and gave thanks to God. He broke them and gave them to his disciples, who distributed them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the leftover pieces filled seven wicker baskets.
Reflection:
“He has pity on our weakness.”
Huge crowds flock to Jesus, seeking healing. They wait for days for their opportunity to see him and be healed. They are tired and weak with hunger, and Jesus feels “compassion for them” in their need. The same words often appear in the letters of the great Jesuit missionary Saint Francis Xavier. He writes that he feels a “deep compassion” for those who have yet to accept Christ and for those who have obstructed him in his missionary work. He also encourages his fellow missionaries to have a similar depth of compassion for those who are heavily burdened, that they might readily supply them “comfort for the soul or supplies for the body.” Christ’s feeding of the multitude tells us of the compassion and generosity of God. He has pity on our weakness. He also works wonders through that weakness, even with the little we have to offer, and he turns it into abundance. God made the efforts of Saint Francis Xavier produce abundant fruit. If we are sincere coworkers with Christ in his loving compassion, we too, will bear much fruit.
