Who are the chosen?
Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing. God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. This means that no one can boast in God’s presence. (verses 26-29)
While most people are bundles of contradictions, there are always those who stand out from the crowd. They are knowledgeable, competent and confident, and they are tempted to be dismissive of the ‘Charlie Browns’, or losers, of this world. But, as Paul makes clear, our greatest danger is to trust in our own achievements and forget that we are totally dependent on our Creator for every breath we take.
You may be tempted at times to look down on the down-and-outs who wander the streets of our cities. Today’s reading reminds you that God has chosen those whom the world has rejected: the little, the lost, the lonely and the last in society. At other times, when things have gone horribly wrong in your life, you may feel distraught with misery and shame. Because you have nothing whatever to offer God, Paul’s words can bring you deep comfort. As Martin Luther said on his deathbed, ‘We are all beggars, it is true’. It is to us as beggars that Christ comes and brings us into the kingdom of God.
Lord, you have freed me of the burden of pretending to be what I am not. Thank you for accepting me. Amen.
by Margaret Hunt, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook,1998)
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