Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for 1st Sunday in Advent, Cycle A    

November 30, 2025, Matthew 24:37-44

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm 

  Let your light shine!

Have you ever walked away from your car and wondered if you locked it? Did you check with the clicker? It’s that time of year when we don’t want to be easy targets for thieves. We can’t be slacking off. There are all kinds of troublemakers in our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces. Cameras are in high demand today. 

Now, we need to stay alert when using our computers and avoid clicking on unknown links. Several times, someone has created a fake email address in my name. They wanted you to send them $800 in gift cards and scratch off the tape to reveal the numbers. This person told you not to call them. Duh. Several priests were targeted. 

Most homes and businesses are lit up at night to keep out anyone with bad intentions. Darkness is a thief’s paradise, and Jesus often called the devil a thief who works in the dark.  

St. Ignatius of Loyola shared insights on the things we often keep hidden in the darkness: past experiences we’re hesitant to talk about, past sins we find hard to face or confess. Sometimes, memories drift back and linger with us. Do you have any secrets you keep in your heart? 

Remember this: “There is nothing I can do to make God love me more and nothing I can do to make God love me less.” (Fr. Jimmy Browne, Come and See.)

Advent is a time to bring some light into our lives. We light an Advent wreath in the church every Sunday during this season, and it would be meaningful for all of us to light one at home and pray with the Lord. Let this season be a time of hope and renewal, inviting Jesus to enter those dark areas that scare us or that we are ashamed to admit.  

Turn out the light in the room—observe how the tiny candlelight overcomes all the darkness. Notice how the light immediately draws your eyes. Jesus is the light within us, and His Presence assures us that our dark secrets hold no power over Him or us. 

It is time to wake from our sleep with St. Paul and cast off the works of darkness. Put on the armor of light and actively carry the light of Christ before us, wherever we go and with whomever we meet. 

Gospel Challenge: 

 Go, my friends, and walk with the Light of Christ so you can shine for others, inspiring hope and love in their lives. P.S. Your light will also overpower their darkness. 

Love Your Neighbor!  

Fr. Rick Pilger, I.C.   
www.bscchurch.com 

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