A Poem a Sunday

October 18, 2015

Pentecost 21 B

St. Mark 10:35-45 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Commentary:  The way of the Empire is power grabbing, the way of God's Kingdom is mutual service.  Entering the Kingdom way is a daily initiation through death to new life.  Early Christians used the Greek/Roman Sarcophagus (Coffins) as baptismal tubs for immersing novices.  Jesus asks,
"Will you be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"  (krs)

The Request of James and John

35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

A Poem a Sunday - Sarcophagus

Coffins used for initiation,

baptizing novices into their salvation.

Imagine water in a coffin.

imagine immersion three times, that often!

This cruciform, a new beginning,

death to the old, life to the living,

is the baptism Christ calls us to enter

and begin our lives with a new center,

Death must come before resurrection,

a cold pale body before new creations.

So a sarcophagus is a vessel of grace

initiation into Christ for the whole human race.

Climb into your sarcophagus, come, be baptized!

Drown in the waters of the crucified.

Only in death is their resurrection.

Such is a follower’s initiation.

A Poem a Sunday – written October 12, 2015 by Kenn Storck