The Kitchen Sink
An occasional piece of paper
May 24, 2009
Vol. 12 no. 20

Everything But...
           Last week we were chosen, this week we are choosing. It works that way sometimes with the Bible, but it’s not as inconsistent as it seems. We are chosen first by Jesus, but as human beings choice and choosing is a necessary part of our daily and hourly existence. What we aim to do is make our choices in the same way Jesus chose you and me, enabling others to become people who love other people without reservation.
          But being human, our choices are typically not so stellar or holy. We spend a lot of time choosing things: menus, toys, movies, cars. The more choices we are offered the greater the possibility we will make the wrong choice or be so overwhelmed we make no choice at all.
          “Beggars can’t be choosers,” and there’s something deeply spiritual in this old maxim. The Gospel may often describe rich folk, but it is intended for the poor, and in particular, for the poor in spirit. Let us humbly accept the fact that at our best we are beggars.
          Still, you have to choose, and the most challenging is to choose people. The disciples found themselves without Jesus and without a 12th disciple. A choice was necessary, so how do you choose the next important person in your life? Those of us who are married remember that one!
          What is astounding from the story is that the disciples chose the next disciple by casting lots, possibly the ancient Urim and Thummim sticks of Israelite origin, expecting that the lots would fall according to God’s will and answer. The United Church has persistently targeted the lottery and casino big businesses as a matter of social injustice and abuse. A little unsettling to realize that our leadership was chosen by lottery! What does it take to choose the right person?