The Will of God Is the Path to Peace

Click for More

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120425.cfm

In this powerful Advent homily, Fr. Mark reveals why the Church gives us such seemingly “unrelated” readings during the early days of the season. Beneath the surface, he shows a single thread tying them together: Israel’s longing for a Messiah who would finally give humanity the power to live God’s will. From the failures of the Old Testament to the warnings of the prophets, the people discovered what we must rediscover—misery always follows when we trust ourselves more than God.

Israel’s exile, their suffering, and their longing formed the backdrop for Advent hope: a Messiah who would restore not only the kingdom, but the human heart. As Fr. Mark explains, God’s will is never arbitrary. Because “God is goodness itself” (CCC 199), His will can only be good, healing, and life-giving. When we surrender to that will, we stand on the unchanging rock of divine truth—immovable, stable, and at peace. “Order brings peace,” says St. Thomas Aquinas, and Advent invites us to let God reorder our desires so that our hearts may rest in Him.

Jesus warns us in today’s Gospel that salvation is inseparable from doing the Father’s will. Advent, then, becomes a season of holy realignment: turning from sin, renouncing self-reliance, and trusting in God’s providence with the same hopeful expectation Israel once knew. As we prepare for Christmas, Fr. Mark urges us to pray with conviction: “Not my will, Lord, but Yours be done.”

To deepen your Advent journey, explore more teachings on DivineMercyPlus.org and the free, ad-free Divine Mercy Plus app. Visit the link in our bio for homilies, reflections, the Rosary, the Chaplet, and Advent resources to guide you toward Christ.

Added to Favorites!
Added to Watch Later!

You might also like...

The 10 Virtues of Mary: God's Blueprint for Every Disciple

Mary had the freedom to choose, and she chose God completely. In this inspiring homily, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, explains the Ten Evangelical Virtues of Mary and how they provide a practical roadmap for becoming a true disciple of Christ. Discover why the Marians of the Immaculate Conception have based their spirituality on these virtues since 1699, and how imitating Mary's life can transform your own.

The Miracle You are Looking for is This...

In Today's Homily, Fr. Chris Alar reflects on the tragedy of unbelief: even after witnessing Jesus’ miracles, hearing His divine teachings, and seeing clear signs of His identity, many people, including His own disciples at times; still struggled to believe. Father Chris reminds us that our generation has received an even greater fullness of revelation, yet many still refuse to believe, especially in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Christ does not perform miracles on demand or satisfy every challenge for a sign. Faith cannot be reduced to saying, “Show me a miracle, and then I will believe.” As Our Lord teaches, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Readings for July 20th 2026: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071826.cfm © 2026 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. All rights reserved.

The Power of Living Faith

Faith is more than belief—it’s a living trust in God that responds to His grace. As Fr. Chris reminds us, faith is both a gift from God and a free act of the human heart. It’s not just saying we believe—it’s living in a way that proves it.Faith grows when it is practiced. It deepens when we act in love, forgive others, and return to the sacraments, where grace is poured out. As Scripture teaches, “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). True faith breathes in obedience, prayer, and mercy.