Are you ready for surprise?

Are you ready for surprise? 

I guess most of you would have agree that life is full of surprises. The question arises at every important transition. Are you ready? Are you ready to go to college? To start a new job? Perhaps, for a new marriage couple, are you ready to welcome a baby to your family? Facing the list of questions that we have, we may list out all the preparations and solution in the hope that we'll be able to handle to future that lies before us. But there are always surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant. Nothing can prepare first-time parents for the all-encompassing effects of sleep deprivation or for the overwhelming love that floods them when they gaze at their new born baby. The best advice you could receive about preparing for parenting is this: "Expect the unexpected." That way, you won't be disappointed.

In today's Gospel, a similar thing happen to the servants. They gird their loins. They light their lamps and listen for their master's knock. They keep dinner warm, and they're ready to hang up his cloak and wash his feet when he does arrive. They're expecting the expected, all set to serve their master as they have always done. Then comes the surprise. When they hear that knock and hurry to open the door, the master commends them for being ready. Then he tells them to sit down at the table. "Tonight I'm going to wait on you!"

Jesus' master-servant parables seem to extol the virtue of preparedness. But there is something deeper and even more important behind it. There is an element of surprise in the story of the master returning home at a late hour after attending a marriage feast. Will the master catch his servant sleeping rather than keeping watchful guard? And what about the reward promised for those who faithfully perform their duty, day in and day out, no matter what the circumstances?  The image Jesus uses here is a great wedding feast in which the master honors his guests by seating them himself and personally waiting on them. What a great reversal the master becomes a servant to show his geat respect and honor for his beloved guests!

This parable contains a lesson in faithfulness and a warning against sloth.Why is faithfulness so important to God? For one, it's the foundation for any lasting and meaningful relationship. Faithfulness or fidelity allows us to persevere in living out an unswerving commitment. The Lord is committed to us in a bond of unbreakable love and fidelity. That is what covenant means keeping one's word, promise, and commitment no matter how tough or difficult it gets. Faithfulness is a key character trait of God and one that he expects of us. Fortunately God gives the grace and strength to be faithful. He also rewards faithfulness.  Faithfulness demands consistency, a determination to stay the course and see the task to its completion.

God loves faithfulness. That is why we can always expect God to give us what he promises. In turn, God expects us to be faithful to him and to one another. How can we grow in faithfulness? God's grace shows us the way. When we are faithful in the little tasks and promises we make, we learn to be faithful in the bigger and more important responsibilities and tasks entrusted to us. Our reward is the Lord Jesus himself who shares with us his joy and friendship "well done good and faithful servant ..enter into the joy of your Master" (Matthew 25:21).

Yes, do all you can to be ready to carry out your responsibilities today. Do everything possible to make sure you are obeying God's commands and loving other people as he has loved you. But at the same time, be sure to hold your heart in readiness. God is full of surprises! He may give you an unexpected token of his love. He may fill you with the inspiration to do something that you don't usually do, like sharing your faith. He may call your attention  to one of his children who needs your comfort, your correction, or your prayer.

Don't limit what God can do for you, in you, and through you. Life with Him is full of surprises.