A Mission of Compassion: Reflections on St. Francis Xavier and Modern Culture

Through my devotion to St. Francis Xavier, I have long admired the spiritual discipline of the early Jesuits, their dedication to learning, and especially St. Francis Xavier’s missionary zeal. His ability to meet people where they were, and his wisdom in presenting the Gospel with nuance and sensitivity, are qualities that resonate with me, particularly as I consider how we might approach the cultural challenges of our own time.

His missionary work in Japan offers an inspiring example. Rather than insisting his disciples abandon their culture, St. Francis Xavier introduced the Gospel in a way that allowed them to retain much of their heritage, recognizing the connections between their way of life and the Gospel. His approach was compassionate yet uncompromising. This method proved remarkably effective, as many embraced the faith so deeply that they were later martyred under the shogunate. Christianity in Japan survived underground for centuries, long after his mission, which suggests a lasting impact rooted in his compassionate approach.

When I ask for his intercession, I ask for similar wisdom and compassion in engaging with modern American culture. Today’s culture can feel just as foreign to Christian values as Japan did in the 16th century, not only when engaging with secular society but also when facing America’s politicized evangelicalism. It’s easy to fall into a reactionary stance - one that seeks to push back, dominate, or force influence through political means. Yet, I wonder whether we might approach our mission with the same careful discernment that St. Francis Xavier demonstrated, relying on intellect, reason, a disciplined spirit, and use of our skills to minister effectively within both secular culture and our own faith communities.

This raises a question I continue to wrestle with: How do we, as Christians, balance the need to remain steadfast in our faith while genuinely engaging with those who disagree with us? St. Francis Xavier didn’t see Japan as an enemy but as a culture to be loved. I believe we should view modern American culture the same way - not as a battleground but as a mission field. How do we minister with love, self-sacrifice, and mutual respect, even when the values we hold dear seem threatened?

This does not mean we compromise our devotion to Christ or our commitment to the teachings of the Church. St. Francis Xavier remained steadfast in his faith, and we, too, are called to hold firm. Yet, in an age of social media and political polarization, we are also called to resist the temptation to react in anger or treat political ideology as a substitute for our faith. How do we stay grounded in a deeper mission that transcends the fray?

In this blog, I hope to explore these questions and many others with a spirit of humility and inquiry. I want to wrestle with the theological and philosophical issues of our time in a way that is faithful to the Church’s teaching but also compassionate and open-hearted toward others. I hope you will join me in this journey of reflection and growth.