Find the full text of the homily here.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you been surprised by how God has shown up in your life?
- What stories do you tell yourself or have you been told that may prevent you from hearing God’s stories?
- What do you think about the idea that Jesus may be someone who could be surprised?
- In what ways can our community embody a “spiritual curiosity” as mentioned in the mission statement, and how can this openness to surprise deepen our connection with God and our expression of love to others?
Resources for Further Reflection
Article: “Why Humans Need Surprise” by Jill Suttie
In this article, the author reviews the book, Surprise: Embrace the Unpredictable and Engineer the Unexpected by Tania Luna and Leeann Renninger which argues that surprise is good for human health. The article also identifies important aspects to the process of surprise: (1) Freeze, (2) Find, (3) Shift, (4) Share, and ways to cultivate an ability to be more surprised in life. Reflecting on the implications of the article for a spirituality of surprise would be an interesting reflection.
Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
The great and imaginative Anglican theologian, C.S. Lewis entitled his own autobiography “Surprised by Joy” and shows how both joy and surprise have been gifts from God throughout his early life, even in the midst of very difficult situations.
Thoughts on Faith 