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.