Reflection on Today's Gospel - Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Here is a reflection on today's gospel reading (John 7:40-53) that I wrote for the Daily Reflections for Lent of Catholic Charities USA.

Reflection:  Reveling in Surprise

How are you at handling surprises? Disappointments? How do you react to setbacks? Or even an abrupt turn of events in a positive way?

It seems that there is something in our makeup that causes us to be thrown off when our expectations are not met. Certainly we recover much more quickly, and probably even enjoy the happy surprise or the sudden success. But in general, we are resistant to people and events that do not conform to our expectations, that disrupt our beliefs or our world view. 

Many people who witnessed the words of Jesus were surprised by his teaching and his insight. Some reacted positively, John tells us, and declared that he must be “the Prophet” or maybe even the Messiah, the Christ. Others, though, could not imagine that any prophet could come from Galilee – and certainly not the Messiah. Their expectations were for someone in David’s line who would restore the military and political independence of the people of Israel as it was in David’s time. No doubt this Jesus who spoke of love and new wine and the mercy of Abba could not be what they were looking for.

How often it is this way with us as well. No matter how much we love those with whom we work, and especially those we serve, we, too, tend to develop expectations and assumptions about them. How often we prejudge the person who sits in front of us asking for help. How often we are convinced that we know all about this new face for whom we are providing services – after all, haven’t we seen it all before?

Each time we take someone’s story for granted, or fail to see their individuality, we deny a little bit of their dignity and their humanity. Each time we make assumptions about where people come from or how valuable they are or are not, we reduce our own ability to see them for their true self. 

We are called to be a people that revels in surprise. Our God has surprised us throughout salvation history by turning the world upside down. We, too, should be prepared to be surprised by everyone we meet.

For reflection:

1.         During this Lent, re-examine the assumptions and presuppositions you have about the people with whom you come in contact.  What are the times when you are most surprised?

3.         What expectations do you have about people, about God, or about the world that you might have to let go?