Surprises
More and more people continued to enter the room. What started out as a large space quickly transformed into a sea of celebration. As the moment drew near for the birthday boy to arrive, my own excitement for him grew. I looked around the room and saw face after face of friendship, support, and parish community. “The mystical body of Christ,” as Father David would have called it.
Surprises can be amazing. When you’re on the giving end of a surprise, there is the excitement of planning covertly. The unknown of how long the surprise can remain a secret. The wonder of how the surprise will be received. And of course, the thrill of seeing the reaction. I’m referring to “good” surprises here - surprises that are rooted in the good for one another. Omit the pranks of “Impractical Jokers,” for example.
On the receiving end of a surprise, there is an art of being a gracious recipient. Basically, it’s important to be open to receiving the surprise. Not everyone enjoys being on the receiving end of a surprise. I can relate to that. A friend once told my husband and me to block off all plans for a weekend. Just show up and be present for whatever surprises were in store. My lack of spontaneity was affirmed at that moment. I had (at least) twenty questions and wanted to be prepared for the weekend. In order to receive a surprise graciously, you must be open and relinquish control of the situation.
Father David received his 70th birthday party surprise this week with grace and gratitude. His reaction made me pause and think about how I receive the surprises of my faith and what God reveals to me. It’s not that our God is God of surprises, but if we stop to contemplate all His workings in our past, our present, and those we don’t know yet, we should be in awe of His surprising reality. There is such a thing as being surprised by the Truth and affirmed in our faith. Having wonder and awe for a God so great is a reasonable response for the Creator of everything.
Our God is truly God of surprising realities: He came to live among us. Mary, a young teenager, sinless and spotless, was the tabernacle, the womb for Jesus Christ. Twelve were chosen, and through Jesus we have a line of successors in existence from Peter. Jesus is Lord out of obedience and servitude. Jesus left himself in remembrance with bread and wine, not gold and riches. We are recipients of free and unearned Grace. God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and He has destined us to share in that exchange (CCC 221). Surprising reality after surprising reality.
May we have wonder and awe at this incomprehensible love. May we receive it graciously and with gratitude. May we allow ourselves to be surprised by God.