4A Advent Sunday homily (21 December 2025) St. Joseph, a model of obedience

 

4A Advent Sunday Homily, Matthew 1:18-­24, December 21, 2025

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM

 

1) STORY

One day John was caring for his master’s sheep when a hunter came riding out of the forest and asked how far the nearest village was.  After John informed him the village was about six miles away along a narrow winding path, the rider asked John to lead him to the village and he would pay him.  John refused saying he must care for his master’s sheep.  The hunter was impressed with John’s faithfulness and obedience to his master.  Suddenly, several men came riding out of the forest happy to see the hunter.  Only then did John realize the hunter was a prince.  Several days later the prince invited John to his palace and asked John to work for him as he was so faithful and obedient.  John promised to work for the prince after his master found another shepherd.  St. Joseph was such a faithful and obedient person.

 

2) GOSPEL, MATTHEW 1:18­-24

A)  JOSEPH’ S PROBLEM

Mary was betrothed to Joseph and before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.  What was he to do?

B) THE SOLUTION

JOSEPH OBEYED.  Joseph did as the angel commanded him, and he took his wife into his home.

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) PROBLEMS IN LIFE

During the course of our lives, everyone encounters both small and large problems.  For example, some problems may be related to the health, family, money, work or even religious problems.  Such problems bring us pressure, worries and ultimately unhappiness. 

B) THE SOLUTION

OBEY GOD.  It is very important for us to obey God.  Jesus, Mary, and Joseph have given us a good example.  A car driver must obey traffic laws to avoid accidents.  A musician must obey the conductor to perform well.  We must obey God who will give us the wisdom and strength to help solve our problems.  God will give us the ability to carry our cross.  Being obedient and faithful to God’s commands will bring us joy, happiness, and peace.

 

4) CONCLUSION

John, the shepherd boy, was blessed because he was an obedient and faithful servant.  St. Joseph was blessed as he obeyed God’s command sent through the angel.  We must follow the good example of St. Joseph and obey God by loving him, our neighbor, and ourselves.  By obeying God, we are blessed with peace and happiness.

3A Advent Sunday homily (14 December 2025) Jesus helps us

 

3A ADVENT SUNDAY HOMILY, Matthew 11:2-11, December 14, 2025

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM

1) STORY

One day, while walking in the forest, a man fell into a hole and shouted for help.  A learned professor saw him and scolded him for not being more careful.  He lectured him on the importance of being alert and then walked off.  Shortly after a holy monk came by and made an effort to help him but was unable to do so as the hole was too deep.  He expressed his sorrow in not being able to help, and he also walked off.  Finally, Jesus came by and without saying a word jumped into the deep hole to help this poor man.  He told the man to get on his shoulders and thus he was able to climb to safety.  Jesus helps people.

 

2) GOSPEL, MATTHEW 11:2-11

A) JESUS HELPED PE0PLE

He is our savior.  He helped the blind, the lame, lepers, the dead, and the poor.

B) JOHN THE BAPTIST HELPED OTHERS

He was a prophet.  John was Christ’s messenger who prepared others for the coming of Christ. 

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A)  WE HELP OTHERS

As Christ helped others, we can help others in these ways:

i) The spiritually blind are lost on their journey in life.  They have no clear goal.  We tell them that heaven is their ultimate goal.

ii) The spiritually deaf hear only bad and sad news.  We give them good news by saying there is a God who loves and cares for them.

iii) The spiritually poor have no joy, happiness, or peace.  We help them to understand that God can give them these precious gifts.

B) WE ARE MESSENGERS

As John the Baptist told others about Jesus, we can tell others about Jesus in these ways:

i) We can explain the true meaning of Christmas.

ii) We can give them some material about Jesus and the Catholic Church.

iii) We can invite them to attend a Christmas Mass with us.

 

4) CONCLUSION

Just as Jesus helped the man get out of the hole and helped others in their needs, so can we help others by telling them about the help that Jesus can give them.  As John the Baptist paved the way for Jesus, we can introduce others to Jesus.  Both Jesus and John helped others.  We should follow their good example.

 

2A Advent Sunday homily (07 December 2025) Repentance

 

2A Advent- Sunday Homily, Matthew 3:1-12, December 7, 2025

By Fr. Vincent Corbelli, MM

 

1. STORY

Henry had a dream one night and saw two words: “after six.”  He was puzzled as to what was the meaning of these two words.  He thought that they meant that he would die in six days, so he prepared for his death.  He was determined to change his life, to repent.  He made every effort to avoid sin and do good.  After six days he was still alive, so he thought that he would die in six months.  Again, he made every effort to avoid sin and do good.  After six months he was still alive, so he thought that “after six” meant he had six more years to live.  So again, he made every effort to avoid sin and do well. Thus, he lived a holy life and became St. Henry.  His feast day is celebrated July 15.

 

2. GOSPEL, MATTHEW 3:1-12

A) REPENT

To prepare for the coming of Jesus, John the Baptist urged people to repent which means to change one’s life from doing evil to doing good.  The people acknowledged their sins.  

B) DO GOOD

John the Baptist urged people to do good.  He said that people had to produce good fruits as evidence of their repentance.

 

3) APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) REPENT

Here are three areas where we may need to change.

i) Doubting God’s love and care for us because of the troubles in our lives resulting in not praying. 

ii) Being angry toward our neighbor and others because they do not follow our demands.

iii) Being proud by thinking we are smarter and better than others.

B) DO GOOD

We must pray daily as we need God’s help.  Be kind to others as they need our support.  Be humble knowing that we can learn from others.

 

4) CONCLUSION

John the Baptist exhorts us to repent which means changing from doing evil to doing good.  St. Henry gave us a good example of this.  We repent by changing from doubting God to being faithful to him; by changing from being angry to being kind to others; by changing from being proud to being humble.  This is how we prepare for the coming of Christ.