We Are All His Chosen Ones

A Reflection on the First Reading for Sunday, May 5, 2024:
Sixth Sunday of Easter

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Acts
​10.25-26, 34-35, 44-48

On Peter’s arrival, Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian cohort, met him, and falling at his feet, worshipped him. But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a man.”

Then Peter began to speak, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God.

Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Recently, I have been reflecting a lot on my own selfishness. I have been given the greatest gift ever, “that of being chosen as a daughter of God,“ and what do I do? Most often I keep it sealed up privately in my heart, taking it out in the morning and perhaps again in the evening when I spend time with Him. I feel loved, protected, blessed and, if I’m being honest, special. I feel chosen. And yet I tend to hoard that feeling, despite knowing that it will only grow if shared, often struggling to share it in spaces that don’t feel welcoming or safe. I fit the definition of a “frozen chosen” one.

The dictionary defines chosen as “having been selected as the best or most appropriate.” In reflecting on being chosen in that context, I have met my own pride, fear, and selfishness. Consciously or not, I often behave as though I believe that I have been chosen because I am better or more appropriate than others I meet.  Of course, I would never describe it that way publicly.  Instead, I use language like “she hasn’t encountered Jesus yet,” not embracing the truth that He is calling me to make the introduction. 

There is solace and hope in knowing that I share this trait with Peter. He believed that a Gentile could not be a chosen one and was proven wrong. We learn earlier in Acts that Peter was given a vision from God that showed him that “truly God shows no partiality,” and while he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The other chosen ones travelling with Peter were astounded by this and, one person at a time, the world began to understand that we are all chosen if we love God and do what is right and acceptable to Him. 

The lesson here for me is seeing that Peter acted. He didn’t freeze. He spoke. But before speaking, he went to a rooftop to pray. He opened himself up to be a vessel for the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit flowed, choosing those who were open to the Word. What a beautiful and simple way to build the Kingdom of God! Pray, speak, let the Holy Spirit act, and join the other chosen on the journey, knowing that we are all the best and most appropriate in the eyes of God.

Let us pray: Father God, thank You for choosing me. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit, Who allows us to see each other as You do and brings peace, love, and belonging. I surrender my selfishness and will to You, knowing that in doing that, there is room for You to act through me, bringing others into Your loving embrace and relieving me from the burden of deciding who is chosen. Open my eyes to see and love those You are putting on my path, my ears to hear what You would have me say, and their hearts to receive You. Amen.



Sandy Graves

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