He was born in the Basque country of Spain in 1506. He met Ignatius Loyola when he was a student in Paris, and he was ordained priest in 1537. In 1541 the Pope sent him as part of a mission to India, and he spent the rest of his life in the East, preaching the Gospel in Goa and Malacca. He made many converts and fought against the exploitation of the native population by the Europeans. He spent two years on a successful mission to Japan, laying the foundations of many Christian communities; and in 1552, after entering China secretly to preach the Gospel there, he died of fever and exhaustion on the Chinese island of Shangchwan.

Having begun Advent yesterday with the Apocalyptic writing of Luke (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36) we today turn to the poetic and uplifting style of Isaiah. Isaiah paints the glorious picture of the peaceful Kingdom of Christ, which is yet to come. While Isaiah was writing for the chosen people, the Israelites, Jesus' words and actions in todays Gospel from Matthew clearly show that the kingdom will be established for all, as he willingly heals the centurion's son - without even going to the centurions' home. There is a sharp sting to the story, as Jesus identifies the centurions faith higher than the Israelites - further emphasising the universal acceptance of all into his kingdom.

Thus we in our turn must welcome everyone!