The Great Surprise

Jesus’ life and teachings are full of surprises. He came to a generation of people who were expecting a “conquering-hero” type of Messiah and He told them that the Messiah would suffer and die as a common criminal. What a surprise! He came to a generation that, like ours, was steeped in the philosophy of revenge-an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a life for a life. He told them to turn the other cheek; to go the second mile; to love enemies, pray for them, forgive them. What a surprise! Jesus says that if we deliberately set out to save our life, we will lose it. What a surprise! He says that those of us who have money have about as much chance of getting into the Kingdom of Heaven as a camel has of getting through the eye of a needle. What a surprise! Jesus’ teachings are full of surprises like this, but probably none greater than the one St.…