By Ablakok (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0] via Wikimedia Commons
“We did not happen to be, we were chosen by God to exist.” -Mother
Angelica
Today’s first reading tells the story of David’s anointing
as King of Israel. Young David, the least of his brothers, is not even included
when Jesse’s sons are called together by the prophet Samuel. Can’t you just
picture David dancing with joy in a meadow, singing songs of praise to God
while watching over the sheep, when his father sends for him? No one would have
been more surprised than David himself. But God, who sees the heart, choses His
beloved son David to be king, above all his impressive-looking brothers.
Appearances can be deceiving.
In the Gospel reading, appearances also deceive the
disciples, who, upon seeing the blind man begging by the roadside, ask Jesus, "Rabbi,
who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
Jesus replies, saying, "Neither he nor his parents
sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” He
then shows the glory of God by opening the eyes of the blind man, something
that was unheard of.
From before his birth, the blind man was chosen, just as
surely as David was chosen to lead Israel. His blindness was to serve the great
purpose of bringing many to believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. This man
must have wondered why he must suffer blindness, poverty, and accusations of
sin, but in time, God revealed the purpose for his suffering, and restored him
to wholeness.
In the same way we can be sure that God created each of us,
with whatever shortcomings and disabilities we may have, for a greater purpose.
You have been chosen by God to exist, just as you are, no matter how humble or
obscure, and you were born at this very time in history for a reason. Trust in
God, offer Him all your sufferings and doubts about yourself, and be willing to
fulfill the plan He has for you.
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