The choice of God for a people who love what is good, trustworthy, and honorable is not merely a matter of divine selection. It is a sacred invitation into a relationship marked by trust, obedience, and promise. In Wisdom 18:6-9, the holy text recalls the night of deliverance when God’s faithful awaited salvation with sure knowledge of His promises. The images from that passage remind us that we, too, are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a people called apart, awaiting in hope for God’s saving hand, and walking in covenant fidelity. The Psalmist in Psalm 33:12 rejoices: “Blessed are the people the Lord has chosen to be his own,” a blessing which requires response, devotion, and a life lived in alignment with the character of God, who calls. When we understand who God is, to be chosen by Him will be recognized as a huge privilege, mandating that we live with purpose and distinction, embracing all that is good, true, and honorable.
This call might pose difficulties and challenges. However, faith becomes the anchor of this chosen identity, and the Letter to the Hebrews (11:1-2, 8-19) uses the great patriarchs, who are celebrated not for worldly success, but for their steadfast belief in God’s promises, as an anchor of success. Abraham, in particular, trusted the Lord even when the destination was unknown, the promise delayed, and the path uncertain. His faith teaches us that to be God’s people means to live with eyes fixed on what is unseen, trusting that God’s word is more real than our present circumstances. Our lives are marked by longing, not for comfort or control, but for a better homeland, one whose builder and architect is God. This perspective shapes how we live now, drawing us away from what is fleeting and toward the eternal. As a people chosen by God, we walk in faith, not because the way is easy, but because the One who calls us is trustworthy.
In the gospel and its acclamation response (Matthew 24:42,44, Luke 12:32-48), Jesus deepens this call by urging His disciples to be watchful, faithful, and ready. “You must be prepared,” He says, “for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” This readiness is not based on fear, but on love, the joyful vigilance of those who know they belong to the Master. We are not servants left in the dark, but stewards entrusted with a mission, called to act by the Master’s heart. Our identity as God’s chosen compels us to live in the light, doing good not to earn God’s favor, but because we already live within it. The Lord’s return is not a threat to the faithful but a fulfillment of the promises God has chosen us to receive.
Finally, to be the people the Lord has chosen is a privilege steeped in mystery and grace. It means we live with a distinct hope, grounded in the faith of those who came before us and carried forward through our lives of service and love. It means embracing responsibility, watching, and working as faithful servants who long to please their Master. It means allowing truth, goodness, and honor to shape our values and daily choices. In every generation, God seeks people who will reflect His light on the world and live not for themselves but for the Kingdom and its exaltation. May we cherish this calling, live it joyfully, and remain ready for the day when our faith will become visible.