TOPIC: Be prepared
1A
ADVENT – Sunday Homily, Matthew 24:37-44 November 27, 2022
1) STORY
After a long training course, three
little devils were given a one-question exam: How would they deceive people to
avoid them in preparing for the last judgment. The first little devil said he would tell
people there is no heaven. The second
little devil said he would tell people there is no hell. The third little devil said he would tell
people there is no rush in preparing for the final judgment. The master devil smiled at them and said the
third answer was the best. Let people
know that there is no rush in preparing as there was still plenty of time
before their final judgment. The same
holds true for the coming of Christ at Christmas.
2) GOSPEL: MATTHEW 24:37-44
A) PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PREPARED: In the
days before the flood, people were eating, drinking, and marrying. They were busy and had no time to prepare for
the flood which resulted in their being destroyed by the flood.
B) PEOPLE WHO WERE PREPARED: Noah was
prepared as he had built the ark; and when the flood came, he entered the ark
and was saved. This is a reminder of the importance of being prepared.
3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PREPARED:
As we prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas, many are very busy buying
Christmas gifts, sending cards, putting up a tree, planning a vacation, and
preparing for a delicious holiday meal. Though
good in themselves, we need to prepare for the coming of Christ.
B) PEOPLE WHO ARE PREPARED: Here are
several suggestions to prepare for Christ’s coming. First, put up a manger as a reminder that this
is Christ’s birthday we are celebrating. Second, make a good confession to prepare our
hearts for this great event. Finally,
encourage someone to come with you to Christmas Mass.
4) CONCLUSION
The story and the gospel remind us that
there are people so busy that they have no time to prepare properly for the
coming of Jesus into their lives at Christmas and at the final judgment. We must make every effort to prepare to
welcome Jesus into our hearts and lives. Putting up a manger, going to confession
and bringing someone to Christmas Mass are ways to prepare for Christmas.
