19th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C

WELCOME GOD’S SURPRISE

Have you been surprised any time in your life?  The gospel brings us back to a famous quote from the Lord Jesus: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come” (Lk. 12: 39-40).

These words point us to the return of the Lord on the last day, something that we repeatedly affirm in every Sunday mass.  “I believe…He will come again to judge the living and the dead.”  But this return has the quality of unpredictability, of suddenness, of surprise.

It is interesting to note that some experts say that while we are waiting for this ultimate coming of the Lord, we might be jolted that in fact, he has already come… like an unexpected thief in the night! It is true that the kingdom has already come and is among us now.  We will not only be surprised at the end.  Today, and always, the Lord takes us by surprise.

Have you experienced being surprised by God?  Have you been blown away by an event or action that you were sure came directly from Him? How do you know that it is God working and intervening suddenly and forcefully in your life?

First, we know this through faith.  The first reading speaks of faith as trust in the Lord.  God promised to give vast lands to Abraham.  Abraham could not fathom what land that was, but he trusted.  God promised to give Abraham an heir.  Abraham looked at Sarah his barren wife and he looked at himself an old man. He wondered how this could be, but still, he trusted.  In the end, Abraham secured his land and begot a son.

God will surprise you if you trust he would. If you believe, he will show you his power.  Why do we not see miracles today? It’s because we have stopped believing in miracles.  But expect miracles and the miracles will come. Trust in his word.  Believe in his promises.

Second, we will know God’s surprises if we are open to his Kingdom. Is your heart focused on God?  Are you desirous of pleasing him alone? Do you seek to do his will above all things?  If so, then you will notice all the subtle and overt ways he enters your life.

But if your heart is pinned on people or things, then you will not notice God’s actions.  You will rely on your power and forget the higher power.  Then, even if God surprises you, you will not pay attention.  You cannot feel he is passing by. 

An architect-contractor friend lost a big project because he refused to lie about the figures of the construction cost.  He lost big money and investment on this.  But he is peaceful and always counting the many ways the Lord provides for him and sustains his life and blesses his new projects.  His surprises come from his loyalty to God.

Welcome God’s surprises!  Be faith-filled. Be faithful to the Kingdom.