One Among Many
How many people you know are converts?
Do you know anyone who became a Christian who did not know of the Gospel before someone shared it?
Today, I'd like to share a few thoughts about a man you may have heard of, but don't know a great deal about, Francis do Yasu y Javier, or Francis Xavier.
Many, many people hereabouts are not becoming Christians for one reason only: there is nobody to make them Christians. Again and again I have thought of going around the universities of Europe, especially Paris, and crying out to the scholars: "What a tragedy: how many souls are being shut out of heaven, thanks to you!"This thought would certainly stir most of them to listen actively to what God is saying to them. They would forget their own desires and give themselves over entirely to God's will and his choice. They would cry out with all their heart: "Lord, here am I! Send me. Send me anywhere you like—even to India!" - Francis in a letter to Ignatius
One of the founders of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, Francis was unstoppable. He traveled to India in the 16th century and it is said that he converted hundreds of thousands to Christianity.
He did so by visiting people in prison, walking the streets ringing a bell, teaching children songs, he lived the gospel and made his sole purpose in being to spread the Word to everyone he met.
We don't seem to be as concerned these days with saving souls as Francis was. Perhaps in our desire to be respectful of people's beliefs or lack of them, we have given up on trying to spread the word about salvation.
In fact, we may find that many Christians aren't all that sure about it themselves.
Clergy may be so busy trying to keep the lights on, the snow plowed, and keep the dwindling number of butts in seats, that the idea of scaring people with the message that they need to believe to be saved just turns them off.
Our faith has become one voice among many, and we tend to live and let live, even if it means, as Francis puts it, we are shutting souls our of heaven.
Perhaps the advent of religious fanaticism and Islamic terrorism has dulled our will to share our faith. God forbid we impose our thinking on others, even if we truly believe it is the path to a better life now and later, after death.
We don't want to be like them, we say.
So, we do and say what?
I think Francis had a good idea when he chose to speak with prisoners and sing to children. There, he found willing listeners, eager and anxious to hear what he had to say.
Maybe our salvation is where Jesus pointed in the first place. Welcome the children. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Visit those in prison. Comfort the sick.
If we spread the word, the butts will fill the seats.
More to come...