Readings: Is. 2:1-5; Rom 13:11-14; Mt. 24:37-44

“Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” – Is. 2:3

Advent, this powerful liturgical season that we are beginning, invites us to pause in silence to understand a presence. It is an invitation to understand that the inspanidual events of the day are hints that God is giving us signs of the attention He has for each one of us. How often does God give us a glimpse of His love!

Homily in Celebration of First Vespers of Advent, Nov. 28, 2009

November 29
Monday of the First Week of Advent

Readings: Is. 4:2-6; Mt. 8:5-11

For over all, the Lord’s glory will be shelter and protection: shade from the parching heat of day, refuge and cover from storm and rain. – Is. 4:6

The hope expressed is that each one may be made holy by God and preserved irreproachable in his entire person-“spirit, soul and body”-for the final coming of the Lord Jesus; the guarantee that this can happen is offered by the faithfulness of God Himself, who will not fail to bring to completion the work He has begun in believers.

Homily in Celebration of the First Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 26, 2005

November 30
Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle

Readings: Rom. 10:9-18; Mt. 4:18-22

[Jesus] said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Mt. 4:19

What does the Lord want of me? Of course, this is always a great adventure, but life can be successful only if we have the courage to be adventurous, trusting that the Lord will never leave me alone, that the Lord will go with me and help me.

Meeting with Youth in Rome Before the Twenty-first World Youth Day, April 6, 2006

December1
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Readings: Is. 25:6-10a; Mt. 15:29-37

On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” – Is. 25:9

We should ask ourselves what does “coming of the Lord” mean? In Greek it is “parousia,” in Latin “adventus,” “advent,” “coming.” What is this “coming”? Does it involve us or not?

Homily in Celebration of the First Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 26

December 2
Thursday of the First Week of Advent

Readings: Is. 26:1-6; Mt. 7:21, 24-27

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” – Mt. 7:24

Yet there is not only the final coming at the end of time: in a certain sense the Lord always wants to come through us. And He knocks at the door of our hearts: are you willing to give me your flesh, your time, your life?

Homily in Celebration of the First Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 26, 2005

December 3
Memorial of St. Francis Xavier, priest

Readings: Is. 29:17-24; Mt. 9:27-31

They went out and spread word of him through all that land. – Mt. 9:31

The Church is missionary by nature and her principal task is evangelization, which aims to proclaim and to witness to Christ and to promote His Gospel of peace and love in every environment and culture.

Address to Participants in the Fifth International Congress of Military Ordinariates, Oct. 26, 2006

December 4
Saturday of the First Week of Advent

Readings: Is. 30:19-21, 23-26; Mt. 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8


The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst. No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher. – Is. 30:20

Advent, therefore, is a favorable time for the rediscovery of a hope that is not vague and deceptive but certain and reliable, because it is “anchored” in Christ, God made man, the rock of our salvation.

Homily in Celebration of the First Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent, Dec. 1, 2007