Ordinary Time

Pause

In your busy day,

in your quiet moments,

in solitude,

in the crowd,

God is reaching out to you in love.

Be still for a moment and rest in that love.

Listen

You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.

John 15:16-17

Think

Have you ever been chosen for something? Maybe you were chosen to give an important presentation. Maybe you were chosen to pitch in the big game. Or maybe a supervisor chose you for an important task at work.

It can feel good to be chosen: we feel special, privileged, proud. But we should remember that when we are chosen, something always comes next: doing what we were chosen to do – whether that’s speaking with eloquence, throwing the ball straight and true, or working on a big project.

God chooses us – but not just to sit back and feel happy that we were chosen. God wants us to love one another. When we do, we’ll “produce fruit, so that [our] fruit could last.” Maybe that fruit is kindness or patience or justice or mercy. Maybe it’s reaching out to someone who’s alone, giving time to a volunteer project, or giving money to a charity.

You have been chosen – yes, you! What kinds of “fruit that lasts” have you been chosen to bear?

Jane Claspy Nesmith

Pray

Loving God, thank you for choosing me and loving me! Give me strength to live up to your choice that I might go out and bear fruit that lasts for the coming of your kingdom. Amen.

Go

Wrapped in the peace of God

and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit,

take the love of Jesus with you

wherever you go today

and everyday.