1A Advent Sunday homily (30 November 2025) Be prepared

 

TOPIC: BE PREPARED

1A ADVENT – Sunday Homily, Matthew 24:37-44 November 30, 2025

By Fr Vincent Corbelli. MM

 

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.

34C Sunday homily (23 November 2025) Christ is our King

 

TOPIC: CHRIST IS OUR KING

34C Sunday Homily, Feast of Christ the King, Luke 23:35-43, November 23, 2025

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM

 

1) STORY

Father Miguel Pro, a Mexican priest who studied in Europe, had not been back to his native country for eleven years.  At that time, the Mexican government was persecuting the Church and practicing religion was against the law.  He returned to Mexico to help the Catholics despite the great dangers this presented.  He worked for 18 months saying Mass, hearing confessions, and giving retreats.  He always dressed differently to avoid being caught.  On the night of November 18, 1927, he was caught by the police and accused of a crime which he did not commit.  Nine days later, without a trial, he was condemned and shot to death in Mexico City.  With his arms outstretched and just before dying, he shouted his last words, “Long live Christ the King.”  The State rejected Jesus.  Fr. Pro, now Blessed Pro, accepted Jesus.

 

2) GOSPEL, Luke 23:35-43

A) CHRIST WAS REJECTED

The rulers, the soldiers, and one of the two criminals made fun of Jesus and rejected him.  They said that if he were truly the King of the Jews, he would be able to save himself.

 

B) ONE ACCEPTED JESUS

One of the criminals said that Jesus had done nothing criminal.  He said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus replied, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) REJECT JESUS

ONE REJECTS Jesus by sinning, by disobeying the basic command of Jesus to love God, to love our neighbor, and to love ourselves.  This is done by not praying, by being uncharitable to others, and by neglecting one’s health.

B) ACCEPT JESUS

We accept Jesus by obeying him and following his good example in our lives.  Christ loves us, cares for us, guides us, and forgives us.  We must be faithful, loyal, obedient, and hard-working disciples.

 

4) CONCLUSION

Blessed Fr. Pro gave up his life to help others.  He accepted Jesus as his king while the State rejected Jesus by persecuting the Church.  While dying on the cross, Jesus was rejected by some and accepted by one.  We reject Jesus by our sins and accept Jesus by living as he did by loving God, his neighbor and himself.

33C Sunday homily (16 November 2025) Perseverance

 

TOPIC: PERSEVERANCE

33C Sunday Homily, Luke 21:5-19, November 16, 2025

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM

 

1) STORY

As John went to work in the morning, he said to his wife he would see her in the evening.  Little did he know that this would not happen.  He and 33 co-workers descended 700 meters into a copper mine in Chile where they worked.  On that fatal day in 2010, a section of the mine caved in cutting off their only exit.  Thus began a 69-day ordeal living in the mine not knowing if they would ever return alive. T hanks to the efforts of the rescue team who worked day and night, a hole was dug into the mine which allowed them a way out.  This was the longest time in history where miners were saved after being over two months in a mine.  When John was finally rescued, he summed up his experience by saying, “I always knew God would get us out of there.”  The hard work and perseverance of all made this rescue possible.

 

2) GOSPEL, Luke 21:5-19

A) SUFFERING IN THE WORLD

There will be suffering from false prophets, earthquakes, famine, plagues, kings, governors, and even from family.

B) PERSEVERANCE

Jesus instructs us what to do during such difficult times.  He says, “By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.”

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) PROBLEMS IN LIFE

Many people encounter one or more of the following: family problems, health problems, money problems, work problems, and even problems from religion.  There is temptation to give up hope and stop trying to live a good life.

B) PERSEVERANCE

Jesus instructs us to persevere.  Prayer is a great help in such difficult times.  We help others in difficulty by praying for them, listening to them, encouraging them, and at times, offering material support.

 

4) CONCLUSION

Most people encounter difficulties in life.  John relied on God during the 69 days trapped in a mine.  Jesus wants us to rely on him for the grace to persevere during our trials which will surely come.  By our perseverance in relying on Jesus, we will overcome the storms in our life.

 

32C Sunday homily (09 November 2025) Eternal life

 

TOPIC: ETERNAL LIFE

32C Sunday Homily, Luke 20:22-38 November 09, 2025

 

1) STORY

A priest asked a group of newly baptized Catholics what blessings they had received through baptism.  One woman named Mary raised her hand and said that in her home the question of death was never mentioned.  Death was never a topic of conversation as no one had the answer to what happened after death. 

Because of Mary’s baptism, she now knew that after death there was life, eternal life.  She knew that Jesus rose from the dead and promised eternal life to all who believed in him.  Believing in Jesus changed her life.

 

2) GOSPEL, Luke 20:22-38

A)  SADDUCEES

This group did not believe in life after death.  They presented Jesus with a difficult question to answer.

B)  JESUS: Jesus revealed the resurrection of the dead.  He said, “I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, even if he dies will live, and whoever believes in me will never die” (John 11:25).  The great proof of the resurrection was his own resurrection.

 

3) APPLCATION TO LIFE

A)  NO RESURRECTION

Many people do not know what happens after death.  Many affirm that death is the end of life.  There is no such thing as life after death.

B)  BELIEF IN THE RESURRECTION.

We believe:

i) Death is not the end but rather a change from earthly life to eternal life. 

ii) Eternal life is to be forever happy with God.

iii) We attain this life by living as God wants us to.

iv) We must share this great news with as many people as possible.

 

4) CONCLUSION

Some people deny while others believe in the resurrection and life after death.  In the story Mary’s life was changed when she believed that death was a change only and not the end of life.  The Sadducees denied the resurrection, but Jesus preached it.  Today the same situation exists as some deny the resurrection.  We believe in the resurrection and eternal life.  We thank God for this great blessing of eternal life and share this good news with as many people as possible.