First Sunday of Advent: A Maryknoll Reflection

By James H. Kroeger, M.M.

Sunday, November 30, 2025
Is. 2:1-5 | Rom. 13:11-14| Matt. 24: 37-44

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. — Matthew 24:42

Our three scripture readings for this first Sunday of Advent overflow with rich imagery that alerts us to be vigilant and make this a truly holy season. It is a time to walk with God by seeking peace, throwing off the works of darkness, and staying awake, always ready to meet the Lord.

The prophet Isaiah foresees that all nations will come to the Lord’s mountain, hear God’s word, respond by beating their swords into plowshares, and never train for war again. A touching presentation of this profound vision is seen on the grounds of the United Nations in New York where one can see the dramatic bronze statue of a man hammering his sword into a tool for tilling the land, symbolizing the mission of the UN.

Paul’s letter to the Romans encourages us to awake from sleep because it is a new day; we are to throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. In a word, we are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus presents examples of the need to be spiritually alert: most people missed the coming flood in Noah’s time and the thief in the night catches the owner of the house unaware. Their lack of preparedness had disastrous results.

Our beloved Pope Francis pointed out that “Jesus, many times in his preaching, cautions us to be vigilant, to hold vigil, and keep watch.” Francis added that on one occasion, “Jesus advised watchfulness, ‘for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’” Indeed, ‘vigilance’ should be practiced ‘in relation to the coming of the Lord.’

On other occasions, Jesus emphasized the importance of ‘being prepared,’ for example, in the case of the ten maidens—both the prudent ones and those who were imprudent or unprepared. The former ‘had everything prepared, even the oil for the lamps’; the latter, however, were complacent, ‘without a thought to being prepared’.

Authentic watchfulness and preparedness demand concrete action on our part. We ask ourselves: Where and when am I sleepy and complacent? How can I turn my attention into concrete service for the needy, especially migrants and refugees? What actions can each of us take to become a vocal advocate for peace and disarmament?

As we begin a new liturgical year, we see Jesus in today’s Gospel being insistent. As expressed by Pope Francis, Jesus constantly advises “watchfulness, prayer and vigilance in order to avoid temptation.” Francis also refers to the example of Jesus instructing his disciples in the garden of olives. “They fell asleep.” However, Jesus told them — and us — to “watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Mt 26:41). Heartfelt blessings for an fruitful Advent!

Maryknoll Father James H. Kroeger served in mission in Asia for over five decades. He is the author of Walking with Pope Francis: The Official Documents in Everyday Language (Orbis Books – 2023) and A Joyful Journey with Pope Francis (Faith Alive Books — 2024). 

Featured image: Photo of the bronze statue entitled “Let us Beat Swords into Ploughshares” in the United Nations garden in New York City, New York, by United Nations and licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 (United Nations/Flickr/USA)