CALLED TO SHARE GOD’S COMPASSION
Exodus 19:2-6a; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36—10:8
Every evening at the Oratory at Don Bosco Matunga (Mumbai), the kids play for a while before they study. I watch them as the captains choose their teams for basketball or cricket. The younger ones have their heads down and shuffle their feet as they hear the captains call the names of the older kids or the better players. Sometimes, a captain does not see an older or stronger player and calls the name of a younger kid. The joy on his/her face is a sight to behold.
Human elections everywhere – whether in politics or business or sports – is the same. We choose the best.
The attitude and behaviour in human election are in sharp contrast to divine election: God’s choice of Israel (first reading) and Jesus’ choice of the apostles (Gospel). From the human perspective, God’s choice is strange!
He chose a weak, landless, wandering nation as his own. He called them to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Israel has the privilege of communicating God’s message to the rest of humankind and of reflecting his holiness.
Jesus chose those of limited education and means – fishermen, a tax collector, a teacher of the Law, a zealot – to be partners in his ministry. He called the apostles to be shepherds to care for the people and to be signs of God’s compassionate love. Further, he sent them to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” to announce that the kingdom of God was near.
God chose whom he wished and gave them the gifts they needed to accomplish their mission.
God continues to call people. He has something for you and me to do in building his kingdom, in spreading his compassionate love.
Question neither his wisdom in choosing you nor his ability to equip you with all you need for the task. Say “yes” and be his ambassador to the world to bring his compassion to all.
