Living with expectations (Good or Bad)?
Be prepared for surprises!
A funny (also cute) thing happened last Friday. It was the first day of “school” for the two year old's program for our Early Learning Center. Their “home” is the two rooms next to my office. Ever since we move that group of youngsters over to the parish house, I have emotionally steeled myself for the angst and drama that is at the heart of opening day. I told one parishioner that today would be “crying Friday” because of all the tears that would be shed by little ones leaving their mommies or daddies.
ut surprise! Even though I have been a teacher (seminary professor, church school teacher, coach etc.) for decades and know that each year, each group, each class has its own personality as well as personalities, I was utterly shocked by the lack of drama that this year’s group displayed. It was like: “hey.. lookie here .. toys, clothes.. stuff…other little kids like me.. wow” and off they went having fun with each other and their teachers, leaving their parents in the dust and in the words of a NY Yankee broadcaster announcing a home run – “see ya!”
I know that there are some truths that are infallibly consistent: being is! Jesus saves! Human life is sacred! My NY Mets will always find a way to break my heart! But I often forget that the vast majority of life is cloaked mystery. One of the most painfully quiet group of teens I ever taught in Confirmation Class (so I expected) turned out to be the most fun and interactive groups of all. It’s a bitter cold and somewhat snowy Sunday morning : no one is going to come to church except some people do! A year or more ago I wrote about one instance on the subways when a young woman was asking for food and not money. No one ever responds to this – but I among many did. And she was so grateful, and this moment of grace exceeded any expectations of hardened New Yorkers.
As I look with gloom and almost despair at the political landscape of our fractured nation, as I prepare for more disappointment and political nonsense, as I wonder if we shall ever deal with the reality of gun violence in our nation, as I look sat the increasing secularization of this land impose an amoral philosophy that will control what used to be free speech and thought, but perhaps God will once again remind me: You have expectations? Surprise!
Fr. Joe