Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

November 30, 2025

First Sunday of Advent

Matthew 24:37-44

Jesus said to his disciples:

"As it was in the days of Noah,

so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

In those days before the flood,

they were eating and drinking,

marrying and giving in marriage,

up to the day that Noah entered the ark.

They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.

So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.

Two men will be out in the field;

one will be taken, and one will be left.

Two women will be grinding at the mill;

one will be taken, and one will be left.

Therefore, stay awake!

For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.

Be sure of this: if the master of the house

had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,

he would have stayed awake

and not let his house be broken into.

So too, you also must be prepared,

for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

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Stay Awake!

~Rev. Jordan Kelly, O.P.

Chaplain to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters at the Convent of Divine Love + Philadelphia, Pa.

The First Sunday of Advent greets us with its perennial cry: STAY AWAKE! Whether we are listening to music (how often have you heard Wachet Auf on the radio this week?) or reading Scripture, we are urged to STAY AWAKE! This call may or may not be announced by a trumpet blast, we do not know. What we do know is that we are called to be alert, ready, prepared for this great visitation of the Son of Man.

Today, the Liturgy presents us with the second of Matthew’s eschatological lessons, the days of Noah. The reference to Noah, and therefore the flood, was to remind the hearer of this passage of the suddenness with which the flood had come upon the land. The flood was unexpected. Different from the other synoptics, Matthew does not include the references to Lot and his wife, but emphasizes the suddenness of the presence of the Son of Man. Think of it, are we really ready for Advent and everything that the arrival of this season means? Aren’t we like the servant who should have known the Master is near? Matthew’s call is not only to be awake, but at a much deeper level to be vigilant. Vigilance invites us to be faithful to what it is we are supposed to be about.



Blessed is that servant… although today’s pericope does not include this line from verse 46, what we do read serves as the prelude to these consoling words. What will happen to us if we are prepared, if we are vigilant? The Son of Man will take us into the peace of the Kingdom for which we long.



Prepartion is Key to Everything

~Cheryl Rodgers

Saint Patrick Church + Norristown, Pa.

Each time I read Matthew 24:37-44 – this week’s Gospel – one thought comes to mind: Jesus is giving us great direction in the simplest way – be prepared.

“Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.” Pretty straight forward – and more importantly, extremely helpful.

It’s easy to make the right decision or choice if you know someone is watching you, judging you. Keeping in mind that my actions, words and even thoughts are being witnessed by someone who matters to me can keep me honest and right. In this Gospel passage Jesus is providing us with a guiding light – a path to follow when temptations may be difficult to ignore – or when rationalizing takes the place of judicious decision-making. It’s easy to stray when you think you won’t be caught and that they’ll be no repercussions. But knowing someone could be at your side, ready to call you out on poor decisions or sinful actions? That makes staying on the right path a lot easier – and more rewarding.

Be prepared, Jesus tells us. And to me, being prepared means more than just doing the right thing for the right reason. It means preparing my heart and my soul, to know Jesus better –by doing the right things for the right reasons, by going to Mass, keeping my focus on my faith and praying daily. When I think about this Gospel, and the words of Jesus, a profound desire comes over me to be that “faithful servant.” I’ve finally come to realize that I want to live my life in total preparation – and surrender – because that’s what Jesus wants from me. The older I get, the better I realize that following God’s path for me – being prepared – is where I find my joy, my contentment.