You didn’t choose me. I chose you. - John 15:16
Speaking on the last night of his mortal life, Jesus reminds his disciples that he chose them, It was usually wannabe disciples who first approached a rabbi seeking to become a student, but here Jesus says “You did not come to me. Rather, I came to you. I was the one who did the choosing.”
Jesus called them from the lakeside and from the boat. He called them from under the fig tree and from the tax collector’s booth. He called them from their homes, from their occupations, from their families, both men and women. The Gospels give few details but it is Jesus who is shown making the first move. This is in the enduring character of God. God chooses to create and God chooses to be in relation with creation, walking in the cool of the morning and talking with our ancient ancestors. And when things get sideways, God chooses to come among us as one of us to set things to rights. God chooses for us and then gives us the opportunity choose, to say yes or to say no.
When God chose to be with us in Jesus, Mary was asked if she would be the mother of God’s holy child. Mary was chosen, but Mary could also choose. To be chosen by God is grace and is an opportunity to choose. Mary can say yes or she can say no. Honestly, it is a very big and scary and dangerous and mysterious thing God is asking by choosing Mary. Yet, Mary chooses yes. She says yes to the incarnation, to God with us and us with God. Mary says yes to taking on the risks and sharing the costs of incarnating God in the world. God’s yes to us is reciprocated.
Then one evening, after Jesus had been preaching, teaching, and healing for some time, he was at dinner with his adopted family in Bethany. He had been saying some concerning words about his betrayal and his death, and one among them seemed to understand what others did not. During dinner, Mary of Bethany takes what may have been her marriage dowry and pours it out upon Jesus, anointing him with expensive perfume, the scent of which fills the house and overwhelms all else. Mary understands the mystery of his words. Mary understands that her beloved rabbi and friend has made a choice. Jesus chooses to give himself totally for their sake and for the healing of all things. Mary understands that he chooses to do this for her and Mary says yes. While others like Peter object to his choice, Mary says yes to his death and burial. Mary says yes to sharing in the costs of bringing God’s healing into the world. God’s yes to us is reciprocated.
And on that Easter morning, a third Mary says yes. His life has ended and hopes have died along with him. Mary Magdalene has gone back to the tomb. It is love, and grief, and a broken heart that have brought her there. It is in this place of death that she encounters the risen Christ. While embracing the one she loves, Jesus says to her to let go and to go tell the world about his victory over death. Mary Magdalene says yes to his resurrection. She say yes to the cost of letting go of her greatest love, the sure thing she embraces, for what the new resurrected life of Christ will bring to her and to the world. God’s yes to us is reciprocated.
For each of these Marys, something was given up and something for the world was gained. For each, there was a cost as there was a cost for God. God chooses and we are also given the chance to choose. In this season of stewardship, we are given an opportunity to say yes when we make choices about the use of our time, talent, and treasure.
God chooses us and says yes to us. What do we say?
Grace and peace,
Fr. Bill