K Karpen: "The Uncommon Good: Why Are We Here?" (Sermon for October 20, 2024)

"Whoever wishes to become great among you must be a servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be servant of all." Mark 10:43

Why are we here? That's a question I ask myself every now and then. Maybe more now than then, given the strange and troubling political climate of this moment. 

Jesus is troubled when his disciples were arguing about who among them was the greatest. Jesus tells them they've totally missed the point. Greatness, says Jesus, comes when you are 'last of all and servant of all'.

Jesus is clear. Why are we here? To serve the needs of the people. Or, as Benz reminded us last Sunday afternoon, to 'treat the people's needs as holy.' If we as a nation could learn to treat the needs of people as holy, America would be great, indeed. 

See you Sunday,
K