Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was full of worldly ambition when he enrolled at the University of Paris. He shared a dorm room with Ignatius of Loyola, several years older and already well along in faith. Francis resisted Ignatius’ overtures to follow Christ, but Ignatius kept challenging him with a question Jesus asked, “What does it profit someone to gain the whole world yet lose their soul?” (Luke 9.25). The question eventually found its way into Xavier’s heart, and he opened his life to Christ.
Francis, Ignatius and five other students formed the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and committed themselves to share the gospel in foreign lands. Francis became a missionary to Portugal, India, and Japan. He is credited with the idea that a missionary must adapt to culture. When he first arrived in Japan, seeking an audience with the emperor, he was abruptly turned away. He learned two things about Japanese culture. First, you need to dress the part. The poverty displayed by missionaries in India did not translate well in Japan. Second, don’t show up empty-handed. Gifts are a customary way of expressing respect and friendship in Asian culture. Xavier and his companions visited the emperor’s palace a second time dressed in colorful silken robes, bearing little resemblance to the shabbily dressed visitors only months earlier. They bore gifts of friendship–a grandfather’s clock, a music box, crystal vases, a glass mirror, and exotic wines. The emperor received them warmly and granted them permission to preach the gospel in his region and allow subjects who wished to embrace their message. Xavier served as a missionary in Japan for two years before his death and made significant inroads, a result of adapting to cultural norms and practices. While we don’t dilute the message, we seek to express Christ’s love in culturally appropriate ways.
Today’s prayer by Xavier expresses his heart for unreached people: