Expectations - what do we look for?

 We all have expectations, especially when it comes to things we do for others. Yes, we all say that we do not but at the end of the day we form some sort of expectation of return for what we have done or created. Whilst there is often a perception, from ourselves that this is not the case, in our psyche there is an underlying sense of a wish for a return, even if it is just "thank you". The latter is so often not always there and as such our expectation is not realised after all. Of course, in our work and our lives we often have expectations that quite often remain unfulfilled or are fulfilled in a manner that does not really meet our expectations. Society is perhaps to blame above all else as to what are expectations are going to be, i.e. increased wages, a fairer distribution of the work load, etc. Of course, when we look at the political landscape we also have expectations that are not met a positive undertaking on climate change, a fairer distribution of services, a better health system, a better education system, etc. In reality should we really have these expectations or should we be expecting something much less or much greater.

The expectation that we have in terms of our relationships is often overshadowed by the expectations within our societal upbringing. There are sufficient examples around that we can show them easily in the current age. Just think about the political environment of misogynistic chest thumping and its expectations on those that are considered inferior within the political spectrum. Our society as a whole not only here in Australia but throughout the world has been conditioned not by our faith but by worldly standards and expectations. This has been the result of years of perceptions of society and those that are in seats of power. Christ over turns these expectations and as Christians we too should be thinking about overturning the expectations of the world and move towards the expectations of God (Lk 6:27-38). This alternate vision is so beyond our current expectations that it shocks us just as much as it would have shocked those who heard it when Christ spoke. This Lukan version of the Sermon that lets us know how to live reverses all our expectations and the expectations of the society in which we live today.

Our expectations often depend on our view

It is just not justifiable in today's world to allow others to have without any expectation of return. No bank will lend on that basis so why should anyone else. Profit must be sought in all fields of life and such profit must be obtained even from those that cannot afford it in the first place. Yet, this is precisely what we are aske to do by the words of Christ as he teaches his disciples how to live in  a rough and forsaken empire that rules by violence and profit much as today. In creating expectations that are totally opposite the reality of our current era we create a new possibility. It is this that Christ renders into simplicity as he speaks about turning the other cheek etc. It is the same simplicity that Joseph uses to turns his brothers self righteous fear and anger away from hideous possibilities of trauma inherent in the situation (Gen. 45:4- ff). In the speaking of truth as we see it not as we expect it to be turns the world and the community upside down. We can no longer expect that which society expects but only that which God  calls to us to reveal. It is removing from our eyes the expectations of society that we can see the way forward in building communities that exceed the expectations that are placed upon them.

In our daily struggles within our faith communities we bemoan our lacks and our losses as we try to meet the expectations of those around us. Expectations that have been built over time rather than through experience of faith. We now need to return to the expectations of God rather than the expectations being placed on us by secular society and community. in doing so we turn the other cheek whilst forgiving those who injure us, we walk the extra mile with those who require our support and we give of ourselves in the same loving manner that Christ gave for us. This turns everything on its head as we respond with love rather than the expectation of gain.