So, who does draw the lines around countries?  Who makes the atlases and the maps? I know that many of you came to Rome by plane, and as you looked down over the mountain ranges, rivers and lakes of Europe, I am sure that often you could not distinguish where one country ended and another country began. 

We humans are the ones who draw lines around countries.  We make limits and boundaries. We separate and divide.  We create labels and establish categories.   

Today’s Gospel is all about imposing categories.  Jesus returns to Nazareth for the first time since leaving home.  He preaches a brilliant sermon in the synagogue, but as his fellow citizens listen to him, they cannot believe that a local carpenter could show such wisdom.  They had undoubtedly heard stories about his miracles, but it was obvious to them that what he did best was make things like tables and chairs and doors.  He was one of them.  He had relatives all around the town.  He was just ordinary, nothing extraordinary about him at all.  They had him all figured out and fitted into categories.  They did not believe in him and so he was able to practically nothing for the people of his hometown. 

In the past eight days you 550 young women and men from all over Europe and from Australia and Lebanon have been given the opportunity to abolish categories and to break down barriers which all too often keep us from knowing, accepting and trusting one another.  You have learned that beneath all our differences of nation, color, race, religion and socio-economic class we are unique individuals, dreamed up in the mind of God, created out of love, and reflecting God in a way that can never be repeated.   The other person, then, is always brother or sister.  The other is always a child of God, a dwelling place of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and therefore deserving of respect and profound reverence. 

As you return to your homes, we who are your parents, your teachers and your coaches are sending you on a mission.  Bear witness to what you have seen and heard and lived these days in Italy.  Never give way to narrow categories or hasty generalizations.  Expand your horizons and expand your hearts.   Learn to see every man, woman and child as your brother and sister, as another Christ.  And when you see Christ in others, especially in the poor and the marginalized, serve him generously.  Of course, you may categorize yourself and say, I am no missionary.  I am too young, lacking in experience and certainly lacking in power, but don’t forget St. Paul’s words in today’s second reading where he says that when he is weak, Christ’s power dwells within him.  With Christ in you, you have much, much to give, both today and tomorrow.  You know very well the words “men and women for and with others.”  Now make them come alive—in you. 

As the Xaverian Games draw to a close, it seems appropriate that I end my homily with a story about St. Francis Xavier.  St. Ignatius Loyola was about to send two Jesuits off to Asia.  It was a dangerous assignment.  Half of the ships that left Portugal never reached Asia.  Many Jesuits died within ten years of their arrival.  One of the Jesuits whom Ignatius wanted to send became ill, and so Francis Xavier stepped forward and said, “Here I am.  Send me!”  And off he went.  This is the man you have honored this week. May all of you return to your homes with some of his spirit.  

                                                Thomas E. Roach, S.J. 

                                                July 9, 2006