It was a beautiful day in our neighborhood and a great day for a walk. My dog and I were out for our daily walk we approached the local elementary school. Since it was such a nice day, the gym teacher had decided to hold class outside. The teacher had the children in one large group and then she asked two students to come forward, one on her left and the other on her right. She said they were the “captains”.
The captain on left side of the teacher called forward a boy from the group. He ran very excitedly to his captain. Then the captain on the right side of the teacher selected a girl from the group. She, too, ran excitedly to her captain. Teams were being chosen. Then I remembered back to when I was a child in the large group waiting to be chosen. Since I really wasn’t very good at sports, I dreaded this exercise in team building. As I stood there, the large group began to get smaller as those around me were chosen one by one. Soon I remember standing there with three other kids.
My dog barked and once again I was seeing the school yard in front of me. The large group was now down to three children. The captain on the right chose a boy for the team. He sauntered to his team without much eagerness. The captain of the team on the left chose the last boy who was a bit overweight. He moved to the team slowly. Now the last remining child joined the team on the right. She looked very sad and dejected.
I once again remembered being those last two from the big group. The only thing worse than being chosen last was not being chosen at all.
It looks like being chosen is not something we have to worry about. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, I chose you.” So, we are on the team! Is it because we are the fastest, have the best arm, or score the most points? Were we chosen because we are the tallest, best looking or most congenial? Did he choose us because we are able to read and write, live a good life or have lots of money?
NO! NO! NO!
We are chosen for a very simple and direct reason. GOD LOVES US. All three readings for today speak of God’s love for us. The first reading from Acts of the Apostles says that God shows no partiality, God has no favorites, God loves all people. Our second reading from the first letter of St. John, leaves no doubt that God is love and God loves us; always has, always will.
In case we had any doubt, Jesus tells us that he has experienced this love from God, his loving Parent. Then Jesus goes on to tell us that he shares this love with us and in turn, we are to share love with each other. He calls us his friends and equals. We know him, and he knows us. He has chosen us even though he knows us, knows our weaknesses and our strengths. It doesn’t matter, he loves us no matter what we have, what we’ve done or what we’ve said.
Wow, what a great friend! Have you ever experienced a real, live person like Jesus? Take a moment to think about that. I would like to suggest such a person. You might know him but not necessarily personally. Have you ever heard of Fred Rogers? Yes, I’m talking about Mr. Rogers from the Neighborhood of Make Believe. I remember watching him on television with my younger brother and years later with my daughters.
Everyday, he would tell his television friends that they were important. At the end of every show, Mr. Rogers would say,
I like you as you are. Exactly and precisely, I think you turned out nicely, And I like you as you are … I like you as you are, I wouldn't want to change you, or even rearrange you, Not by far … I like you, like you as you are.
Other times he would sing It’s you I like:
It’s you I like,It’s not the things you wear,
It’s not the way you do your hair–
But it’s you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you–
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys–
They’re just beside you.
But it’s you I like–
Every part of you,
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you’ll remember
Even when you’re feeling blue
That it’s you I like,
It’s you yourself,
It’s you, it’s you I like.
These are profound words! Fred Rogers was a great friend to children and adults. He had many talents; puppeteer, storyteller and poet. Fred was also a friend of Jesus. He knew Jesus and he loved Jesus and served him as an ordained Presbyterian minister. Fred was on Team Jesus for he had been “chosen and appointed to bear fruit.” He shared the love of Jesus and in doing so produced bountiful harvest for the Lord.
Jesus too tells us that he likes us as we are. He not only likes us, he loves. As his friends we are to share this love and friendship with others. Mr. Rogers asked his television viewers, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”; however Jesus asks us, “Won’t you be my friend and come follow me?”
NOTES
Delivered (preached) May 5, 2018 at Spirit of Christ Parish in Roseville, Minnesota
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B
References: Acts 10:25-48; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17
Image: Marine Corps team chosen for Hawaii All-Military bowling tournament by Kristen Wong