Expect the Unexpected - Weekday Homily Video

Richard Hutton and Frank Kendig have co-authored a book called “Life Spans, How Long Things Last,” which is about life expectancies of things living and otherwise. The book is filled with unusual facts. For example, the shoes of an average major league baseball player last two months. The stick of an average hockey player lasts two games. The boots of a combat soldier last two months. Life spans of things are easily predictable.

However, the life spans of living things are not as easily predictable as objects. The average life span of a dog is about 10-12 years, but it depends on size, breed, environment, etc. Today's gospel reminds us about how unpredictable life is. Seems like everything comes with an expiration date.

Unexpected Events

Most of us don't like to be taken too much by surprise. To be prepared for the future, it's essential to have a clear understanding of what lies ahead and when to expect it. However, it's also important to acknowledge that sometimes unexpected events can occur. Luke’s Gospel features parables spoken by Jesus that highlight the significance of unexpected events and how to deal with them.

An old news item in the New York Times relates a story of how burglars broke into a New York firm. Normally, since the incident occurred in the notorious outskirts of New York, it wouldn't have raised eyebrows. But the fact that it was a company that makes burglar-proof glass windows is funny! As the firm's president said, “It never occurred to us to install our burglar-proof glass in our facility." This amusing story demonstrates our inability to prepare and how often we take things for granted.

As in the gospel, the thief breaks through the wall of a house at an hour nobody expects; the master arrives home at a time when his irresponsible servant is not expecting him. Jesus indicates that there can be an unexpected element in his relationship with us and ours with him. The Son of Man comes at an hour we do not expect. Death is undoubtedly a reality that we may consider to be sudden and unexpected.

His Ways Are Not Our Ways

However, more may be being referred to than that. The Son of Man comes to us during our lives; his daily coming amid life can also be unexpected. We may be called to do something we had never imagined; the Lord may lead us down a path we would not have taken by ourselves. The Lord can come to us through unexpected people, people we would never think of as the Lord's messengers. The gospel reading suggests that we can expect the unexpected when it comes to the Lord. As Isaiah says, his ways are not our ways, nor are his thoughts ours. His many unexpected appearances always require us to be alert and attentive to his many surprises.

"Life consists not of holding good cards but playing well those you hold.” Let's live in such a way that in our last moments, we may not have cause to regret. In the words of a spiritual writer, "A life well lived today makes every yesterday a dream and every tomorrow a vision of hope."

• Today’s Readings

• Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

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