The Dynamism of God's Chosen

July 6, 2014

14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mathew 11: 25-30

"Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Mat 11:29)."

Election is one of the basic realities in the Bible. God chose particular persons or people to be His own possession. In the Old Testament, we easily see righteous Noah and his family was singled out and saved from the great flood. Then, Abraham was made the Father of all nations. Eventually, Israel became His chosen race, His holy people. It looks like that God is playing favoritism, but this is plainly superficial since the divine election entails the great responsibilities.

 When the chosen people entered into the covenant with the Lord, they started enjoying the privilege to be God’s holy people and received various blessings. Yet, the Lord demanded their unflinching fidelity, meaning no worship of other gods. Looking back to the time of ancient Israel, this demand was extraordinary because the prevailing culture of the time was polytheistic (having many gods). Israel was then standing against influential neighboring nations, and being tiny nation, the chosen people tend to fail. They adapted the gods of other ancient races, built their temples, and offered sacrifices on their altars.  Thus, if we read carefully the Old Testament, we would uncover its undercurrent theme, i.e. God’s faithfulness to Israel and as a response, Israel’s fidelity (as well as infidelity) to God.

The New Testament carried on the dynamism of election. From the Gospel’s today, Jesus praised the Father for having chosen the simple people over the wise. He also called those weary and burdened. Yet, despite selecting the ordinary and the unfortunate, Jesus did not erase the responsibilities that ensues from following Him. “…take my yoke…” Still, many disciples stumbled and faltered. When things were running smoothly, a lot of people came nearer, but when things went rough, they turned their faces from Him. Even the elite twelve were scattered. Peter denied Him, Judas sold Him and the many ran from Him. Yet, despite all of this, Jesus remained faithful to them, and called them back into one Church.  

We are Christians and by the virtue of baptism, we are set apart and made holy for God in Christ. The grace of baptism is utterly free, yet it does not mean devoid of all responsibilities. We may start rethinking our identity as Christians when we are baptized, but know very little about the beauty of our faith; when we simply go the Church because the homily is funny and the celebration is so lively, yet refuse to take active part in the parish activities, not even a donation; we got marriage in the Catholic Church, yet after some months, we already weighting the possibility of divorce.  

Today Jesus invites us to come to Him, to have rest as well as to take our yoke. May we reminded of His faithfulness to us, so that we may also be faithful.  

Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP