Homily for the First Sunday of Advent

November 30, 2025

Three people were encouraged to find what was called the cave of wisdom and life. They made careful preparations for what would be a challenging and arduous journey. When they reached the place of the cave, they noted a guard at the entrance. They were not permitted to enter the cave until they had spoken with the guard. He had only one question for them, and he demanded that they answer only after talking it over with one another. He assured them that they would have a good guide to lead them through the regions of the cave. His question was a simple one: “How far into the cave of wisdom and life do you wish to go?”

The three travelers discussed the question and then returned to the guard. Their response was, “Oh, not very far. We just want to go far enough into the cave so that we can say that we have been here.”

The response of the guard showed none of his disappointment as he summoned someone to lead the three travelers a short distance into the cave, and then watched them set out again after a very short time, to make the journey back to their own land.

With this First Sunday of Advent, we begin a new Church year—Year A, in which many of our gospel readings will focus on St. Matthew.

In various parts of today’s Scripture readings, we find an invitation to join in a journey, to get moving. In the first passage, the prophet Isaiah has this to say: “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.”

The refrain from our Responsorial Psalm was, “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.” In Paul’s letter to the Romans, we find this advice: “Let us throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day…” And in the Gospel reading from Matthew, Jesus says simply: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”

So, we have all this imagery about movement, of setting out, of going somewhere at the invitation of our God. The question is: How far do we want to go? Do we want to be like the three travelers visiting the cave of wisdom and life? Do we want to go just far enough, so you can say, “Oh, I’ve been there, and I took a selfie that proves I’ve been there!” How far on this journey with God do we want to go?

We have some examples in the Scriptures. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, James and John, we’re told that they immediately dropped everything, left their fishing nets, and even left James and John’s father in the boat. When Jesus catches sight of a tax collector named Matthew and calls him, we’re told that he immediately jumps at the chance and follows Jesus.

In another passage, a wealthy young man asks Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. We find that he’s basically a good person; he says he’s kept the commandments ever since he was a little boy. But Jesus notices that there was one thing still holding him back: his money and his possessions. He then looks at him with love and invites him, “Go, and sell everything you have, give the money to the poor, and then come follow me.” We’re told that the young man went away sad because he had many possessions—which, apparently were more important than his relationship with God.

In yet another passage Jesus teaches, “You have heard the commandment, Love your countryman and hate your enemy. What I say to you is love your enemy and pray for your persecutors.” What’s so great about loving those who love you? Anybody, even tax collectors, can do that. But I’m challenging you to follow me, and make me and my teaching the center of your life. I’m asking you to come farther than you think you can.

So, this new church year lies ahead of us. We’re invited to make the journey with Jesus, from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. He’s asking us to enter the cave of life and wisdom. The question is: how far do you want to go? Just enough to say you’ve been there, you’ve been baptized, you’ve got the papers to prove you’re a Catholic? Or do you want to learn more, be challenged more, go deeper into the teaching Jesus offers, become a better disciple and friend? How far do you want to go?