November 30, 2025 at Saint Peter the Apostle and Saint William Churches in Naples, FL
Isaiah 2: 1-5 + Psalm 122 + Romans 13: 11-14 + Matthew 24: 37-44
We are just days away from the longest night of the year. As the solar system works its cycle, darkness has overcome the light, but not for long, and this season of Advent begins with a prophetic vision that lights our path through these short days and long nights. While the words might be Isaiah’s, it is God who speaks the vision not just to an ancient prophet, but to us, a prophetic people.
What comes down to us is a vision of peace and unity, one that we can hope for and work toward. We are living in those “days to come” that Isaiah speaks of because the Holy One has come among us in the very flesh of his Son, Jesus Christ. That coming we shall celebrate again in a few weeks. Living in his presence, we can finally put down the weapons of war confident that the way to peace is not possible violence and bloodshed. There is another way.
No matter how polarized, violent, and angry others may become in these days when trusted institutions seem to be shaking apart, and leaders resort to threats and violence, we are called to remain faithful to the truth of the Gospel and the vision we have inherited from the Word of God and the pen of a prophet.
Business may not continue as usual because that risks allowing intimidation and fear, threats, and violence becoming a new “normal” spreading darkness over this earth and silencing the voices of those who protest.
We who are baptized into this Catholic faith are baptized into a prophetic way of life, and we are filled with a prophetic spirit. This season of Advent is not for shopping and making lists. It is a time for us to get our act together, to live by and expect a higher ethic that will not ignore or tolerate anything that dehumanizes or uses another human being for profit or as a scapegoat in a system that puts profit before compassion and revenge before mercy.
That vision Isaiah puts before us must inspire us. It is the foundation of our hope that rests upon Justice and Truth. There can be no peace and no end to this polarization until we embrace the Truth of Jesus Christ and make justice more important than convenience, profits, or selfish ambition. “Wake up.” said Saint Paul to us. “We must walk in the light of the Lord.” said Isaiah today. “Therefore, stay awake” said Jesus in this Gospel.
Often Advent has been described as a season of waiting or anticipation caught up in Israel’s waiting for a messiah or children waiting for Santa. At some point, and at some time, the passive waiting has to stop and something has to happen. I believe that one who waits is God waiting for us to stop the ordinary routines that can best be described as “Business as usual” and begin to look ahead beginning to build the kind of world that is worthy of the Lamb of God – a place called the Kingdom of God.