As always, there are two types of people in the world. There are those who like surprises, and there are those who hate surprises.

Those who don’t like surprises believe they have their lives all figured out and under their control. They are confident in what they expect, and where they are going. Those who love surprises look at life differently. They expect the unexpected. They live with purpose, but not necessarily with a plan.

Jesus loves surprises. The parables Jesus tells, especially in Luke’s gospel, time and again, offer BIG surprises.

First, the party-boy “prodigal son” is welcomed back by his father with open arms. Then, a cheating, scoundrel of a servant is praised by his employer for his cleverness. In this week’s gospel text, the final fates of a rich man and a poor beggar …