A Poem a Sunday

Proper 24B/Ordinary 29B/Pentecost 22
October 21, 2018

St. Mark 10:35-45 - NRSV

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

Pentecost 22 - B

Two Tables

Cheery wood deep

with mahogany inlays

beautifully sweeps

down the castle hall:

two ends

foot and head

lined on either

side;

first and last

the order

is set

amidst candelabras

and quid pro quo.

Rough barn-wood

re-purposed

slats creating

a round shape,

no sharp edges;

no up or down,

foot or head.

Upon a linen

cloth

oft used

for rest

places are set

and every face

recognized

and welcomed

from north,

south, east,

and west.

And where

will you sit?

Which will you

choose:

mahogany inlays

or re-purposed

barn-wood?

Copyright 2018 @Kenn Storck

May be used with permission

kennstorck@gmail.com