Proper 20
September 20, 2009

Mark 9:30-37 –

Recently my niece was attending the baptism of a friend's child at a large church in Atlanta. During the baptism, her infant son was making some sounds. The pastor looked over at her and said, “We have a nursery, you know.” Needless to say she was embarrassed. But, she was also terribly offended.

In my 29 years of ministry there have been many occasions when a child was crying, fussing or making sounds during worship. But, never would I embarrass a parent in the way that my niece was embarrassed. Yes, there are times when children are disruptive in worship. But, thank God they are present. They remind us of our need for humility. They also remind us that we aren't all grown ups. There are some in our midst who are totally innocent and need our attention.

When the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest among them Jesus responded by placing a child in their midst. He said, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” By selecting a child, Jesus was making the most vulnerable human being in society the highest priority. Plain and simple, “welcome a child, welcome me (and God).”

Unfortunately we live in a society where millions of children have no health insurance. Thousands of children are neglected and abused by their parents. And in many communities, school systems can't get levies passed. Although children have more rights and status today than they did in Jesus' day, they are not all given priority nor are they all treated with dignity.

In Jesus' day a child was a non person. In other words, a child was socially invisible. If the disciples wanted greatness they were to receive someone inconsequential. Jesus was teaching his followers that a disciple is one who gives the most to those who matter the least.

To welcome a child meant that Jesus had to cross the stereotypes and boundaries that have been created which keep people out who are different. Let's be honest, we all have people we don't like, who would never fit in to our circle. Rather than welcome them we shun them with words, by living as if they don't exist or making it impossible for them to be included. They are the "losers" or the "black sheep" of society.

Everyone has worth, everyone is a child of God, therefore we are to accept those who seem different from us, making an intentional attempt to reach out and include them in our lives. To welcome a child calls for us to cross the boundaries we have created, moving away from our islands of anxious self concern and expand the community. To be persons of faith, to accept Christ, means to accept those among us who, for whatever reason, have not achieved the level of greatness that we may have achieved.

• Some years ago St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City was seeking a new president. Over one hundred candidates applied for the position. The search committee narrowed the list to five eminently qualified persons. Then somebody came up with a brilliant idea: “let's send a person to the institutions where each of the five finalists is currently employed, and let's interview the janitor at each place, asking him what he thinks of the man seeking to be our president.” This was done and a janitor gave such a glowing appraisal of William MacElvaney that he was selected President of St. Paul's School of Theology.

Somebody on that search committee understood, in a flash of genius, that those who live close to Christ become so secure in his love that they no longer relate to other people according to rank or power or money or prestige. They treat janitors and governors with equal dignity. They regard everybody as a VIP. Jesus also said, "To be first, is to be last." Life is not a destination, a prize, a trophy or contest. Life is a journey. It is not about winning, it is about being a community, being together, where everyone, even the most vulnerable are included.

• Speaking of children; my daughter, Beth, is a writer for Brown Publishing. Recently she was promoted to “editor” of a small town newspaper. Beth majored in journalism at The Ohio State University. I'll never forget her graduation in 1999. Over ten thousand graduates processed into the stadium that day and Beth was the last in line. The college of journalism was the last group in the procession and since her name began with “W” she was the last person in the group. She wore a sign that day on her back which read, “The End.” She may have been last in line but she has served her community through her writings and editorial work for the last ten years.

Being last does not mean we are forgotten. Nor does it mean our lives can't have fulfillment and purpose. “To be last is to be first,” Jesus said. Jesus turned the disciples' perception of ministry upside down. He completely changed their paradigm. Since we live a world that puts “me first” it is difficult for us to see a world where we put “others first.”

In addition, Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” No one wants to be last and who of us wants to be a servant? Once again, Jesus makes the role of being a disciple very unattractive.

When I was an officer in the Navy I had a steward. He cleaned my stateroom, took care of my laundry and ran personal errands for me. I have to confess that being a person of privilege had its rewards. On the other hand, my steward always seemed happy. He was a Filipino, grateful to be serving in the US Navy. He liked his job and unlike me, didn't have a lot of responsibility and the stress of leading a division of sailors.

Perhaps we too could find happiness by assuming the role of a servant, waiting on others, attending to the needs of those who are stressed or overwhelmed with the burdens of life. Although it is difficult for us to understand, Jesus is attempting to teach us here that being a servant means to be “first.”

• Dr. Charles Mayo, along with his father and brother, founded the world famous Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota. One time a group of European medical experts were guests of Dr. Mayo at his home. According to the custom of their homelands the guests placed their shoes outside their bedroom doors to be polished during the night. Dr. Charles was the last to retire. As he went to his room he noticed the shoes. It was too late to wake up any of the servants. With a sigh he gathered up all the foot wear, hauled them into the kitchen, and spent half the night polishing them. Dr. Mayo knew the definition of service, great and renowned as he was. (from Jerry Fuller, Become Like a Child at deaconsil.com)

When Dr. William J. Mayo and Dr. Charles H. Mayo commented on the accomplishments that earned them global acclaim, they often spoke in terms of "my brother and I." That simple figure of speech reveals some profound values at the heart of the organization that bears the Mayo name. Teamwork, the sharing of diverse skills for a common good is the essence of Mayo Clinic.

In the kingdom of God there is no “we” and “they.” There are no winners or losers. In the kingdom of God we are all brothers (and sisters). Baptism is not an event where we remove the restless child from the group. Baptism is an event which makes us all one. “There is no Jew or Greek, slave nor free, for all are one in Christ Jesus.”

(Comments to Keith at wagner@airlan.com.au.)