FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 12, 2015 Almost daily I receive an email telling me that I have been selected for a special offer, or certain coupons, or a chance in a lifetime. Behind all those offers of course is that everyone likes to be singled out, selected or chosen for something special. It somehow makes us feel that we’re not just one of the crowd. Our scripture readings today all speak to us about being selected and chosen by God. In the first reading, Amos is chosen to be a prophet; St. Paul tells us in the second reading that “God chose us before the foundation of the world”; and in the Gospel reading Jesus chooses the twelve apostles to go forth and to participate in his ministry of preaching and healing. Throughout the scriptures God reiterates that we have all been chosen by Him: in Isaiah He tells us that from our mother’s womb, before we were even born, God chose us and called us His own. The people of the Old Testament were often referred to as the chosen people. For us, the sacrament of Baptism reaffirms that we are special in the eyes of God and that we like the apostles are called to share in the ministry of Jesus. As we go forth today, may we feel how blessed we are to be selected as God people today; and may we bring that worth and dignity to all we meet.