Making the team

In the Gospel reading for tomorrow Jesus names his twelve disciples. The selection of the 12 disciples conjurs for me images of the schoolyard drill of two captains picking their teams for a game. Some men end up walking away shaking their heads in amazement. They had been sure they would be part of Jesus' inner circle. "Peter was picked ahead of me," one mumbles as he walks away. Of course, it might not have happened this way at all, but making a choice usually means other options not taken. Picking a team means leaving some people off the squad.

In a wonderful sermon at the Diocese of Georgia convention this year, the Rev. Steph Britt told about his middle school days and something he called the Emmanuel Davidson event. It's well worth the few minutes it takes to read.