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.
