Introduction
The Advent season opens a new Liturgical Year for us and immediately places before our eyes a central invitation from the Gospel: to watch and prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord . The first weeks of Advent do not yet look to Bethlehem, but to his glorious coming at the end of time. It is in this atmosphere of expectation, hope, and spiritual sobriety that we meditate on the Gospel of Matthew 24:37-44.
The Lord reminds us of the time of Noah, speaks of vigilance, of an attentive heart, and of the need to live each day as one who truly awaits Him. In this week’s podcast (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGHhLh5GgrQ ), we highlight seven points to help in prayer with this Gospel.
- “ The coming of the Son of Man… ” (v. 37a)
Jesus opens the Gospel by affirming the ” coming of the Son of Man ,” an expression that refers to the prophecy of Daniel (cf. e.g., Dan 7:13) and reveals his identity as simultaneously human, divine, and glorious.
During Advent, we contemplate the three comings of the Lord:
– The first , in the Incarnation;
– The last , in his glorious return;
– And the daily coming , in the Word, in the Sacraments, in the poor…
The Advent season places us in that interval between the first and the last coming, teaching us to live with an awakened gaze, certain that He who came continues to come and will yet come in majesty.
- “…it will be like in the days of Noah ” (v. 37b)
Jesus doesn’t intend to discuss whether the flood was historical or symbolic; He takes Noah as a spiritual model. Noah is the man who hears , believes, and obeys , even when nothing foreshadowed what was to come. While everyone else was distracted, he remained faithful.
So it will be at the coming of the Son of Man: there will be no warning, no spectacle, no time to improvise faith. The difference will lie in the heart of those who listen and the heart of those who remain indifferent.
- “ And they did not perceive anything… ” (v. 39)
The people of Noah’s time didn’t notice the signs because they were too preoccupied with the immediate. It’s not that they did bad things; they simply lived without looking up. Noah, on the other hand, built the ark slowly, with patience and perseverance. He prepared beforehand .
The question for us is straightforward: Are we perceiving the signs of God’s presence, or are we living anesthetized by the things of everyday life?
- Two men, two women (cf. vv. 40-41)
In the Gospel, both worked, both did the same things. The difference is not in the activity itself, but in the heart. “ One will be taken, the other left ” (v. 40b).
The criterion is not what we do externally, but how we live internally . It is possible to be in the same places, perform the same tasks, but have one heart that watches and another that sleeps. The Lord looks at the inner being, not the outward appearance.
- “ Therefore, be on your guard! ” (v. 42a)
Vigilance is the first spiritual movement of Advent. It is the disposition of one who does not sleep inwardly. The thief does not announce the hour, and neither does the Lord.
To watch is to keep the heart awake, not to let faith fall asleep, not to allow the soul to become indifferent. It is to live each day as a gift (grace) and not as a routine that repeats itself.
- The day and hour of the Lord (cf. v. 42b)
The day and the hour belong to God. He knows the moment. It is up to us to live prepared. In the Gospel of John, the ” hour ” indicates the glorification of Christ: his passion, death, resurrection, and return to the Father. Here, the ” hour ” also points to his final coming.
The coming of the Son of Man will be sudden as lightning. It is a call to spiritual sobriety: not to live distracted, but with our hearts turned towards God.
- “ Be prepared! ” (v. 44)
If watching means being awake, preparing oneself means ordering one’s life as one who truly awaits the Lord. Immediately following this passage, Matthew presents the parable of the faithful and prudent servant. Therein lies the path: faithfulness in small things, prudence in choices, constancy in prayer, and faithfulness to daily grace.
Preparing oneself means allowing Jesus to find in us a heart on its knees, even when we are washing dishes, working, taking care of the house, or studying.
Practical conclusions
– Begin Advent with awakened eyes and a sober heart .
– Make a concrete commitment to vigilance : cut out distractions, organize your schedule, resume or persevere in daily prayer .
– Make a good confession at the beginning of the liturgical year.
– Read the Gospel of the day throughout Advent.
– Live each daily activity with a spirit of… Vigilance and faith: the Lord visits us in the ordinary.
Steps of Lectio Divina
- Reading ( lectio ) : Read Matthew 24:37-44 calmly. Note the expressions: “ coming of the Lord ,” “ they perceived nothing ,” “ be alert ,” “ be prepared .”
2. Meditation ( meditatio ) : Where does my heart sleep? In what areas am I distracted? How can I be more vigilant?
3. Prayer ( oratio ) : Pray: “Lord, awaken my heart. Give me attention, vigilance, and faithfulness.”
4. Contemplation ( contemplatio ) : Remain silent before God, allowing Him to kindle in you the desire for His coming.
5. Action ( actio ) : Make a concrete decision to prepare: confession, daily reading of the Word, or a discreet act of charity.
See you next week!
Shalom!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGHhLh5GgrQ
(Turn on subtitles in your preferred language)
