If you’re like me, one of the most traumatic childhood memories was nervously standing in a group at the park or schoolyard while two captains alternately choose who they want on their team. Usually, the best players were picked first, while the rest suffered a downward descent to the least athletic and most pathetic. Sadly, this system created a pecking order which often defined one’s neighborhood status, and everyone dreaded the possibility of being picked last.
In today’s epistle lesson, St. Paul writes, “Therefore come out from among them and be separate” (2nd Cor. 6:17). On the one hand, this is a directive from God to separate ourselves from that which is base, profane, and evil, while on the other hand, it is also God’s way of subtly choosing us to be on His side, part of His team; a member of His Holy Church.
What is most profound, however, is that God does not choose the best first and the least last but calls all of us equally, regardless of our strengths and weakness, the talents we possess or lack, because He sees our potential despite numerous faults and flaws. Our God is not just a Good Shepherd, He’s a Good Coach Who desires us to be on His team so that He can train us, encourage us, and depend on us out on the field to show others the same love, respect, and mercy He gives us.
