Emphasis Preaching Journal

“Women and children first!” We all know the cry in an emergency. I always found that interesting when women and children don’t get much say in what’s going on. According to law and money, men get the power and the pay. Women get the responsibility of raising kids and service work. Interesting.

According to statistics, when women participate in a group, it raises the group’s IQ, it helps with the group’s interpersonal dynamics, and it increases the group’s problem-solving skills. So, why are women second class citizens in our culture?

Object: A trophy or other award of some kind. For extra fun and think your group can handle it, have the children join you when you do the physical motions with the crowds of people.

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Gospel Note:
This particular passage is apparently directed toward certain false Christologies that turned Jesus into a docetic divine messenger and granted his followers an exalted status. Contrary to that view, Mark asserts not only that suffering and death were the destiny of Jesus, but also that discipleship is not a matter of the greatness of priority and prestige; that true "greatness" resides in the humble assumption of such despised roles asservant and child.

Liturgical Color:
Green

Suggested Hymns:
All Depends On Our Possessing

Mark is a chaplain in a nursing home. He loves his job; it gives him the feeling of doing "hands-on ministry" that was lacking when he was a parish pastor. He calls his job very rewarding.

But twenty years ago, Mark's job was almost his death sentence. Mark had been so happy to get the job as nursing home chaplain. He worked long hours, and he loved the feeling of helping and feeling needed.

In today's text, Jesus teaches the disciples about the power of evil. He says plainly, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him." Religious movements wanting to capture the attention of a large number of followers, need to have a realistic understanding of evil. No one will last long in a religion glossing over the harsh, brutal facts of human suffering. Dwelling only on those sweet moments when we walk in the garden with our Savior will soon bring us to having our faith shattered by the intrusions of evil -- ours, others, and that of history and nature.

The Community Gathers To Celebrate

Pastoral Invitation

In the name of the risen Christ, hello. Welcome to God's world, and everything in-between. For what purpose have you come today? (Thirty seconds of silence.) Invite people to respond. If no one responds, express for the people that they probably come for a variety of reasons, some positive, some not so positive, some healthy, some not so healthy. For whatever reason, we are here. We are here today to discover the meaning of true greatness. Welcome!

Hymn of Adoration