On Sunday 14th June at 6.30pm in church, our monthly choral Evensong service.

We are now in what the church calls, Ordinary Time.  We have celebrated the life and ministry, the death and resurrection of Jesus and the sending of the Holy Spirit.  In the weeks to come we explore why we are given the Spirit and how we continue the work of Christ in the world.  

Both of readings describe being chosen: In Exodus 19:2-8a God tells his people: “you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples… a priestly kingdom and a holy nation." In Matthew 9:35-10:8 Jesus picked out just 12 of his followers and “gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.”

The problem with being chosen is that it can lead to a feeling of exclusivity, of superiority.  The chosen can assume that they are different from and therefore better than those who are not chosen.

Yet time and time again scripture reminds us that no one is chosen because they have any special merit (indeed, Jesus chooses Judas, who will betray him).  They are as much in need of grace as anyone.  They are blessed and given the power of the Spirit solely so that they might bring blessing, healing, and liberation to others. 

Any grace that God gives can only truly be received when it is given away.  It is in freeing others that we ourselves are set free; in healing others that we are made whole; in being a blessing that we ourselves are blessed.