The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
When I was in graduate school studying Theology, one of my professors said something that struck me: “A while ago there was a very popular saying: What Would Jesus Do? and I have always felt that saying to be a little bit pointless: because Jesus was always doing the unexpected and completely surprising people by not following the normal protocol.”
We see this in today’s Gospel. Jesus does the unexpected a few times. First, He surprises the two disciples on the road to Emmaus when He asks them to share what has been happening in Jerusalem. Then, He teaches them about Scripture and the necessity of Christ’s suffering so as to enter into glory. He continues to amaze and surprise them through the breaking of the bread, in their recognizing Him, and then disappearing. Continuously surprising them, continuously doing the unexpected, continuously a real adventure: that is life with Christ.
Time and time again we learn of saints and others who experienced the unexpected but trusted in God’s plan: Joseph did not expect to find Mary pregnant but obeyed God and raised Jesus with her. Mary faced the unexpected when she was asked to be the mother of the son of God but trusted Him and gave her fiat. Countless saints have been called to live the unexpected. They answered the call and God was always with them along the way.
In my own life, I am touched by the unexpected from God. He is always surprising me and showing me His hand in my life. In the past nine months, I have experienced the unexpected in my vocation. I’ve been called to a new job, one that I did not seek out nor really even apply for. But God (and the school!) called me and I said yes. And I have been welcomed into a supportive, thoughtful, and spiritually filled community. I’ve also been called to marriage, saying yes to my fiancé when he asked me to marry him. Our journey, from before we even met, through dating, and now engagement, has been full of surprises and unexpected moments. I know our marriage will contain the same.
In saying yes to God through all the unexpected callings, I have experienced His love. His love for me in calling me to marriage and family life, my lifelong dream and vocation, by giving me the amazing man I will soon call my husband. His love for me in giving me students to teach with a classroom of my own. To pass on His love and the faith to the sixth graders I see each day. His love and gift of faith that sustains me through all the joys and all the challenges I experience each day in my vocation and beyond.
Lord, thank you for the unexpected. Thank you for your gifts, your love, your calling to us. Help us to always say yes to you and follow your will in all things. Amen.
Emily is a Catholic middle school Theology and language arts teacher. She obtained her Master’s degree from the Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity and loves living out her faith. Emily enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and country music.
