Isaiah 2:1-5 / Romans 13:11-14 / Matthew 24:37-44
Going by how we make plans for our lives and how life happens, we can say this, and that is “expect the expected”.
Of course, we have heard the saying “expect the unexpected”, but let us remember that it is the exception to the norm.
By and large, in life, we can expect the expected, and from that we will have some stability and maintain some balance in life.
So, we come to church for Mass, and we expect to have Mass and there is Mass. We wouldn't like to have too many surprises, especially unpleasant surprises that leave us flustered and frustrated.
So, if no changes have been announced earlier, we would come at this time for Mass and expect to have Mass as usual.
It is not going to be like, we come at this time for Mass, and then be told that Mass was earlier and the next Mass is later in the evening.
We will certainly not be pleasantly surprised, and we will have something to say about that.
So, we can expect the expected, unless we have ignored some notices or announcements that were made earlier.
Nevertheless, life has its surprises and here is where we have to expect the unexpected.
But as we think deeper about it, even the unexpected will usually give out some signs and signals before it happens.
In the gospel, Jesus talks about the Flood which was recorded in the Book of Genesis.
Jesus said that in those days before the Flood, people were eating and drinking, taking wives and taking husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and they suspected nothing till the Flood came and swept all away.
So, was the Flood expected? Was there no warning or were there no signs at all?
Before it began to rain for 40 days and 40 nights, God had instructed Noah to build the ark.
The ark was certainly big enough and cannot be missed, because it was to take in two of every species of all the animals, from the elephants to the ants, with the mosquitoes included.
And even to this day, there are some people who are searching for the remains of that ark.
So the ark was big enough not to be missed. So the people saw it. But they didn't wonder about it. They thought that Noah was crazy to build such a thing, and they didn't even bother to ask why.
In short, they ignored the signs and the warnings. And then the Flood came.
So, the Flood was not unexpected. There were warnings and there were signs. But the people ignored it. And for that they were all swept away.
Jesus continues by saying that when the Son of Man comes, then of the two who are in the fields or at the millstone grinding, one will be taken and the other will be left.
Whether who is taken or who is left behind, did they expect it, or were there no signs or warnings to indicate what was going to happen?
As we begin a season of Advent, we are called to be like Mary, to ponder and to treasure what God is saying to us.
We have also received a little booklet to help us in our reflection and to help us to be sensitive to the signs that God is showing us.
And we are also given a card to write down our promises to Jesus as we embark on a new beginning in our spiritual lives.
Yes, let us ask Mary our Mother to help us ponder and to be sensitive to the signs that God is revealing to us.
Let us remember, that before we fall sick, our body will whisper about its pains.
Before we break up, our spouse or friend will whisper about their frustrations.
Before the business goes bankrupt, the customers will whisper about their complaints.
If we don't listen to the whispers, then we will be forced to hear the screams.
God speaks to us, softly and tenderly, and with Mary, we listen so that we can follow God's directions.
As we begin this season of Advent, let us be silent so that we can listen.
Then we can expect, not so much the unexpected, but more so the expected.