[1]The NFL season
starts Thursday! For many their weekend routine will be rooted in the life of
college football, professional football, fantasy football, they don’t care just
give them some football! The teams are in the midst of finalizing their rosters,
who will be chosen and who will be chosen to be starters. Being chosen means a
lot. For professional sports it means a career; for college and high school
athletes, a dream and an opportunity; for elementary gym students their very
dignity.
Jesus goes to the mountain to pray through
the night. On coming down he calls his disciples to himself and choses twelve.
The twelve he will teach, mentor, and do his best to reveal who He is, and to
know His Father’s will for all His children. Everyone on the plain knows what
Jesus can do, that’s why they desire to simply touch him. But the twelve chosen
men will learn what it means to be His disciple, and the true cost of
discipleship.
How
does it feel to be chosen? At some point in our lives, we’ve been chosen. Whether
it was a pick-up kickball game, a college, a job, a beloved person who chose us
to be their spouse, or maybe even chosen for an award. How did you respond?
Our Gospel acclamation says, “I chose you from the world, that you may go and
bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.” (Jn
15:16) Being chosen to the life of a Christian disciple brings with it certain
responsibilities. St. Paul is telling the Colossians, “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in
him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were
taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Col
2:6)
Christ is everything.
Our tradition in the Church puts great
significance on being chosen or being “called” by name. From our Baptism to our
funeral, our name is proclaimed with love. Prophesying the promises of
redemption the prophet Isaiah says, “Do
not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.” (Is 43:1)
Each chosen apostle brought his unique gifts and personality to the call, reacted differently to being chosen. Just like us, there’s always a chance to say yes or no. Each of us here today is a distinctive gift to our parish, our school, employer, community and our family. Being chosen means taking seriously the decision to walk as Jesus’ disciples, and to witness to His power in our lives. Some are asked to live quiet lives of service while others are called to leadership and, as time passes, so may our calling shift as we continue to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Christ and as our physical abilities diminish increase or diminish with age.
Yet all of us must show the faithful commitment to Christ who has chosen us by name.
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