The Right Hand of the Father

The young people will learn what it means to say that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father.

The young people will be able to identify the feast of the Ascension as a central part of our faith.

• Bibles

• Ask the young people to indicate whether they are right- or left-handed.
• Point out that approximately 10% of the population is left-handed and that, years ago, it was considered abnormal to be left-handed.
• Tell the young people that the Latin word for left is sinistra, which means "evil." Explain that today we know that being left-handed is comparable to having brown eyes; it is simply a trait you are born with.
• Mention that since the right hand was traditionally considered the "proper" hand, it became customary to refer to sitting at someone's right hand as a symbol of approval and as a place of honor.
• Ask the young people to complete the following line from the Nicene Creed that speaks about Jesus: "He ascended into heaven and is seated at the ____________ hand of the Father." (right)
• Explain that when we say Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, we are not speaking of a physical place but of the honor that Jesus is owed because of the Father's love and approval of him.
• Explain that Mark's version of the Ascension of Jesus mentions Jesus taking his place at the right hand of the Father.
• Have a volunteer read aloud this passage. (Mark 16:19-20)
• Conclude by praying together the Nicene Creed.

Body Smart, Word Smart

Be sure that any left-handers in your group understand that the stigma of being left-handed is a thing of the past.