Advent, Sloth, and the Parousia: Staying Awake for the Lord’s Coming
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Mass Readings for November 30, 2025
The end times are in the air as Jesus delivers his enigmatic prophecy on the Mount of Olives and the Church kicks off Advent with a reading that might leave you wondering: will you be taken or left behind? Listen in as we uncover the original Greek, trace the shadow of Old Testament prophecy, and demystify what Catholics actually believe about the rapture. Along the way, discover how ancient temple traditions, prophetic lament, and the virtue of diligence all tie together for this season of preparation. Sharpen your spiritual senses and dive deep into what it truly means to “stay awake”—because the Son of Man comes when you least expect him!
Exploring the layers of Matthew’s Gospel, this episode uncovers:
The surprising connection between Thanksgiving and the Hebrew word "todah," plus why Eucharist literally means “thanks” in Greek and is the only temple sacrifice forecast by the rabbis to endure after the Messiah’s arrival [00:02:03]
How Jesus’s physical location during the prophecy—on the Mount of Olives—echoes Ezekiel’s vision of God’s glory leaving the temple and the prophet’s technical term for the "presence of God" [00:04:55]
Why Jesus strategically uses the Old Testament image of a hen gathering her brood under her wings to express God’s longing for Jerusalem, cross-referencing Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Isaiah [00:10:13]
The nuanced difference Pope Benedict XVI spots in Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem—shifting from "my house" in Jeremiah to "your house" in Matthew—and what this means for temple theology [00:19:27]
The loaded meaning of the Greek word "parousia," how it signifies presence rather than absence, and its crucial role in understanding both Advent and Christ’s second coming [00:23:14]
How the dimensions of Noah’s ark, according to the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, equate to a modern naval battleship and why Noah’s neighbors might have been oblivious to salvation right in their backyard [00:26:27]
A brief but insightful take on the Catholic view of the Rapture, referencing Old Testament exile and suffering, and what Craig Keener argues about being "taken" vs. "left" [00:29:09]
The practical application of watching and staying awake—a theme supported by the Greek word "gregoreo"—how sloth, defined by Aquinas as sadness over spiritual good due to bodily labor, holds us back, and St. Benedict’s advice for overcoming it through lectio divina [00:44:16]
Why Advent is not just about passive waiting but an invitation to deeper prayer, small acts of penance, and a joyful anticipation of Christ’s intimate presence, with resources and show notes provided for personal spiritual growth [00:47:41]
References
"He found him in a desert land and in the howling waste of the wilderness. He encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions." (Deuteronomy 32:10–11)
"How precious is your steadfast love, O God. The children of men take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights." (Psalm 36:7–8)
"Like birds hovering, so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it, he will spare and rescue it." (Isaiah 31:5)
"I have forsaken my house, I have abandoned my heritage; I have given the beloved of my soul into the hands of her enemies." (Jeremiah 12:7)
"The glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city." (Ezekiel 11:23)
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’" (Matthew 23:37–39)
"Sloth is sadness about one's spiritual good on account of the attendant bodily labor." (Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, I-II, Q. 35, Art. 4)
"Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the brethren should be occupied at certain times in manual labor and again at fixed hours in sacred reading." (St. Benedict, The Rule of Saint Benedict, Ch. 48)
"Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them." (Luke 12:37)
"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41)
Discussion Questions
Katie described how the season of Advent reminds us both of Christ’s coming at Christmas and his return at the end of time. How does this dual focus influence your approach to Advent?
What connections were draw between the American holiday of Thanksgiving and the Catholic Eucharist? How do these insights affect your appreciation for both celebrations?
Why does Katie highlight Jesus’ physical movement from the Temple to the Mount of Olives? What is significant about this journey in both biblical and symbolic terms?
The episode explores Old Testament imagery of God as a bird gathering his brood under his wings. How does this image deepen your understanding of God’s desire for relationship with us?
The episode explores Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem and his statement, “your house is forsaken.” Why is this distinction between “my house” and “your house” so significant?
The Greek word "parousia" plays a central role in Matthew 24 and this episode. What layers of meaning are uncovered in this term and how do they relate to Advent?
What is the concept of the “rapture” and what does Catholic teaching have to save about interpretations of Matthew 24:40-41?
Discuss the role of spiritual “sleepiness” or sloth as described in the episode. What practices does Katie recommend to help cultivate vigilance and overcome this vice?
In the context of Jesus’ command to “stay awake,” what is the relationship between preparedness, joy, and fear as we anticipate Christ’s coming?
Advent is a time for renewal. How can practices like Lectio Divina or small acts of penance help you personally prepare for the coming of Christ?