Asking to be at Jesus' right hand
Sermon for 10/17/2021 delivered at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Louisville, KY. Text: Mark 10:35-45 I have been at St. Paul’s now since 1998, 23 years this past Palm Sunday. That’s a long time, yet many of you don’t know my story, my walk along the path that has led me to where I am called by the Church, by you, to serve as a Deacon. Part of my story is echoed in the Gospel reading this morning, where James and John ask Jesus to grant them a place of honor and authority by sitting on his right and left. Being on the right side of someone with power and authority is a place of privilege, immediately at their dominant hand, ready to give to them whatever they need or to receive something for us to act on. We recite every Sunday the Nicene Creed, where we are reminded that Jesus ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of God. To be on the right side of someone is to be in a position of being depended on, or being necessary to carry out that person’s wishes. It is the origin of