Homily for Wednesday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time

Many prefer to know what lies ahead and when to expect it rather than being caught off guard. However, unexpected events are a part of life. Jesus uses this experience of the unexpected in today's parables. In one story, a burglar breaks into a house unexpectedly. In another, a master arrives home when his careless servant is unprepared. Jesus implies that there can be an element of surprise in His relationship with us.

The Son of Man arrives at an hour we do not anticipate. This warning may refer to sudden and unexpected death. Still, it could also apply to the unexpected arrival of the Son of Man in our daily lives. The Lord may call us to something we had never considered or lead us down a path we wouldn't have chosen. The Lord can come to us through unexpected people, individuals we wouldn't have expected to be messengers of the Lord. The Gospel suggests that we should always expect the unexpected when it comes to the Lord.