As a Stephen Sondheim fan, I often call to mind his song lyrics when reflecting on Scripture and its relevance for our lives.  Today's readings remind me of a particular verse from a song called "No More" from the Tony award-winning musical Into the Woods.  It is sung by the Baker, known from the fairy tale, "The Baker's Wife," who is featured as a protagonist in the musical.  In his quest to reverse a curse laid upon his house by a witch that rendered him and his wife childless, the Baker discovers in the confusion of the woods that what seemed dead is alive, and what seemed wrong is right, and what seemed real is illusory.

In his confusion, he sings, "No more questions, please!  No more tests.  No more curses you can't undo - left by fathers you never knew.  No more quests!…All the witches!  All the curses!  All the wolves, all the lies, all the chronic ironic reverses!  All the wondering what even worse is still in store…Just NO MORE!"

The poignancy of those "chronic, ironic reverses" that we all encounter in our lives is what strikes me about today's readings.  The call of one of Israel's most memorable judges, Gideon, and his subsequent routing of the Midianites at the Lord God's command, is all about how God works through unexpected reversals:  the smallest, the least, the lowliest becomes the greatest, the best, the highest!  What seems like total defeat and decimation becomes the crowning glory of victory and hope in Israel's salvation history.  What seems like a simple sacrifice becomes the fire of God's holy presence!  The well-known pattern of ironic reverses in the Hebrew Scriptures is echoed as well in the Christian Scriptures:  God raises from the remnant of Israel one who will save it from destruction.  Through a lowly Jewish woman, God consummates the eternal covenant with humanity in the person of Jesus.  Through the ignominious death of Jesus, who appears to be a false Jewish messiah to his enemies, God brings about the hope of eternal life for all people who believe in Him!

In today's Gospel passage, Jesus' disciples are astounded that Jesus has told them that those who appear to find favor with God, namely the wealthy, will actually have a very difficult journey to the Kingdom of God.  "Then who can be saved?" they ask Him.  "For God all things are possible," Jesus tells them.  "Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."  Those "chronic, ironic reverses" are so unsettling, but they represent the mysterious ways of God.

Today, I resolve to be like the idealistic, optimistic boy whose father tried to teach him a lesson by giving him a barn full of manure for his birthday instead of the pony he had hoped for so earnestly.  The boy, peering over the barn railing intently, excitedly, shrieking with joy, was scolded by his father.  "What are you so happy about, son?  Can't you see the loads and loads of manure right in front of you?"  "OF COURSE!" replied the deliriously happy son.  "With all this manure, there's GOT to be a pony in there somewhere!!!"  Today, I'm looking for the pony!

Prayer:  Loving Lord of all creation, teach me to expect surprises in my daily life!  You work through weakness and lowliness to bring about victory over selfishness.  You bring light and life through darkness and death.  Help me to be grateful for the mysterious gifts I do not understand, and give me the grace of seeing beyond my doubts and fears with faith, hope, and love.  Blessed be God forever!