Daily Devotion

“These islands are extremely dangerous, rife with miasma, war, and cannibals… Yet, if these islands hold invaluable gold and spices, merchants would risk their lives to reach them. Is not the soul more worthy of our risk than spices? To wait until it is absolutely safe before coming to preach is a profound disgrace to the love of Christ. Is the lure of money more powerful than the love of Christ, more powerful than the salvation of an immortal soul, in driving people toward danger?”

Francis Xavier · The Complete Letters and Writings of St. Francis Xavier

Scripture

Philippians 3:8 Moreover, I consider all things a loss, because I regard the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord as supreme. I have lost everything for Christ Jesus, and consider everything rubbish, in order to gain Christ.

Reflection

Francis Xavier's questions in the Spice Islands serve as a mirror, puncturing the absurdity of human nature: people are often willing to exhaust their lives, even risking everything, for fleeting wealth, fame, and earthly "spices," yet remain indifferent and numb to the eternal soul and heavenly treasures. Paul considered all things as rubbish because he testified to the infinite value of Christ. Reflecting on myself, do I often haggle over petty worldly gains, yet hesitate before my sacred mission? True wisdom lies in knowing how to relinquish what cannot be lost, and accept what cannot be retained. May I recalibrate the scales of my life, treasuring the Lord as my greatest treasure.