Sunday, November 30, 2025

First Sunday of Advent, November 30, 2025

(Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14a; Matthew 24:37-44)

Today we begin both the Advent season and the Sunday readings from the Gospel according to St. Matthew. We will consider Advent later. For now, let's think about the Gospel of Matthew. All the Gospels are masterful works, each with its own distinctive features. Matthew's Gospel is notable for, among other things, its focus on good works, its use of the Old Testament to denote Jesus as the Messiah, and its structure of five accounts of Jesus' ministry, each followed by a long discourse.

Today's Gospel reading is taken from Matthew's fifth and final discourse. Jesus is teaching his disciples about the end times. He urges them to be prepared for his return, not by scrutinizing the heavens for signs, but by doing good works for others. Jesus will end this discourse with the famous prophecy of the separation of the good from the wicked. The good will be recognized by works such as feeding the hungry and welcoming the stranger. They will have places in the Kingdom of Heaven. Meanwhile, the wicked, who have not helped those in need, will be sent to the place of fire.

Jesus' instructions reflect the prophecy of Isaiah in the first reading. The ancient prophet says that in times to come, people from all parts of the world will come to the “mountain of the Lord’s house.” There they will learn the ways of peace. Isaiah has in mind Mount Zion, a metaphor for Jerusalem. By teaching in Jerusalem in today's Gospel, Jesus imparts the lessons of peace which the nations seek.  It is the fruit of good works. He reminds us of the saying of Pope St. Paul VI: “If you want peace, work for justice.”

The “mountain of the Lord’s house” can also be wherever the Lord dwells. In this sense, it includes the place where Jesus delivered his “Sermon on the Mount.” This discourse is the first of the five in the Gospel according to Matthew. Apart from the Ten Commandments, the Sermon is the most widely recognized teaching on morality in the Bible. In it, Jesus declares that the merciful will receive mercy and that those who work for peace will be called “children of God.” Furthermore, the Sermon challenges Jesus’ disciples to lend to anyone who asks and to walk two miles with anyone who asks accompaniment for one mile. The discourse is also notable for calling the disciples “the light of the world.” In the second reading, St. Paul exhorts Roman Christians s to clothe themselves with light.

After composing what would become basic Christian doctrine in the first part of the Letter to the Romans, Paul turns to the application of theology to life. Today's second reading comes from this practical second part. It says that love of neighbor fulfills the law. For the person who loves does not kill, commit adultery, steal, or covet. Rather, the true Christian rejects "the works of darkness" and "puts on the armor of light."

"The works of darkness" refer to sexual sins such as fornication. They also include a lack of charity, such as when members of the community fail to help those in need. Likewise, "the armor of light" encompasses works of charity. They must even help enemies who lack basic necessities.

We have entered Advent. It is a time of goodwill toward everyone. Works of charity are as much a part of this season as Santa Claus. In fact, Santa Claus is the model of good works. It is not that we serve others only during the month of December. Rather, our charity during this month accustoms us to always being helpful. As Jesus urges in the gospel today, and as Paul writes to the Romans, doing good works is part of our identity as Christians.