Pentecost 21B (Lectionary 29)/Confirmation Sunday
October 17, 2021
Good Shepherd, Wells, MN
Mark 10.35-45
When I served congregations in Mankato and Waseca, I had the opportunity to belong to the local Rotary clubs. For those who don’t know, Rotary is a service organization similar to the Lions and Kiwanis. I joined Rotary to connect with other community leaders and to learn more about what was going on in our respective communities. I also resonated deeply with what Rotary stood for, such as the Four Way Test: Of the things we think, say, or do 1. Is it the truth? 2. Is it fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Much of the Four-Way Test culminated in Rotary’s motto, “Service above Self,” which was celebrated annually with a banquet bestowing awards on community individuals and organizations that embodied this value.
Service above self seems to be a value Jesus is promoting in our Gospel reading from Mark 10. In fact, “service about self” could be argued to originate from Jesus himself. Here, two of his followers, James and John, want positions of prestige and honor when Jesus comes into his glory (whatever that means). When the other 10 find out they are livid, probably because they didn’t think of it first. What is ironic about this request is that Jesus has just made his third and final passion prediction, telling them in vivid detail how much he is going to suffer through his arrest, trial, torture and crucifixion, with only a passing reference to his resurrection, or glory.
Like the previous two times Jesus makes this same prediction, they can’t help but misunderstand and saying something stupid. And just like the other two times, Jesus clarifies what it really means to follow him. Furthermore, like the other times, Jesus flips their world around by saying that true greatness is found in serving others. In case they still don’t get it, he finishes up by saying that’s what his mission is all about: serving. The implication is clear: as Jesus serves by giving his life for others, so do they as his followers. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” (BTW, no matter how obtuse the disciples are, Jesus still patiently teaches them and they still follow him, a good lesson for all of us.)
You may not be aware that each Confirmand here today wrote a Faith Statement Paper and had to endure a half hour interview with me. These young people wrote amazing, faith-filled papers that would bring tears to your eyes as they did mine. During the interview, I asked them all what they wanted to do at this point in their lives, what kind of vocation they seem to have. They all gave terrific answers. But I then challenged them to think deeply about how they will serve God and neighbor throughout their callings, because that’s what God calls each of us to do.
(Another by the way: I also asked them if they considered being a pastor, but nobody did, some quite emphatically. I didn’t at that age either, and would have been just as emphatic. I told them it was my job to identify young people who might be thinking about ordained ministry and encourage them in that idea. But it is also your job as a congregation to encourage young people you think have the gifts for ministry. )
In all seriousness, I want to address the Confirmands, reminding them what they are about to do here today:
In our time together, I reminded you that you are going to say “Yes'' to what your parents did for you at your baptisms. They started you on this journey of faith of following Jesus, and you agreed that you were going to continue on that journey. What we didn’t talk about much is that you do not belong to yourself in the same way any more. Yes, you still belong to God in a way that will never change. But as such you belong to all of these others behind you, not to mention the world. You are not your own.
But the good news is that they also belong to you, which is great because following Jesus is one of the hardest things you’ll do. They’ll be here to help pick up the pieces when life goes sideways and you’ll be there for them for the same reason. Serving above self is a great ideal, borrowed from Jesus, but it’s more accurate to say service through self because it is God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit who makes this hard work even possible. Confirmands: know that God has set you aside for good works and gives you the strength to do it. You are blessed to be a blessing. Go in God’s peace to love and serve the Lord. Amen.
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