The starting point of Israel's relationship with God was God's choice. God affirms that He chose Israel, simply out of love. Today's second reading, the long prayer of thanksgiving from the beginning of the Letter to the Ephesians, takes up the theme of the divine choice again. Now, however, since it is part of the New Testament, we must apply this doctrine to ourselves. Each one of us has been chosen before the foundation of the world, before creation. In God's eyes, in God's eternal love, no one is ever an "accident". Dwell lovingly in prayer on this notion that God has chosen you from all eternity. Such meditation will bring much light and consolation, much freedom and a renewed challenge to be what you are called to be and to do: to live through love in the presence of God.

God chose Israel, and God has chosen each one of us, not for privilege but for responsibility, mission and service. Jesus chose His twelve Apostles, not for positions of privilege and authority, but to be sent out, to bring healing and hope, repentance and freedom.