Years ago, a man named John went looking for disciples.

No, he wasn’t looking for James, Peter, or even Jesus. 

This was John Lennon, who at 16, met 15-year-old Paul McCartney, and 14-year-old George Harrison.

The trio clicked and went on to play music for several years before signing with an agent, then a record company. Their drummer was named Pete Best. 

However, once the group began recording for a big label it became clear that Pete Best wasn’t fitting in. Some say his drumming wasn’t up to snuff. Others say he never really ‘clicked’ with his three bandmates. 

But no matter the reason, someone else would be chosen as the fourth Beatle.

It was a drummer from another band, Ringo, who, at that first recording session, embarked upon a career that would take him sky high.

Here we see the power of being chosen. 

This is at the heart of Sunday’s Gospel, when we see the newly-baptized Jesus, choosing his first disciples, who would make more disciples including you and me.

And like Ringo, the journey for us is intended to take us sky high. Certainly it will not include sold out sports arenas or gold records, but it carries something of an equally irreplaceable and invaluable nature in the eyes of God.

To be chosen is to be set aside for a purpose.

To be chosen is to be recognized as worthy and of real use to the one who chooses.

To be chosen is to be recognized for a gift or talent that no one else may have.

To be chosen suggests confidence and belief in one's talents.

When Jesus chose you, Jesus saw all those things.

What keeps us from seeing them - and filling us with the power and joy that comes from being chosen?