Reflection
Their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Mark10:42-45
Jesus’ response to the self-important requests of his disciples is to remind them of the difference between his followers and the existing culture. His disciples are called to be those who are willing to serve not rule over others. They are not to look for adulation or power but rather they are to be concerned for the well- being of those they serve. Their authority is based in compassion, listening, awareness and healing. As leaders, their main goal and responsibility is the good of their people. Rather than exalting themselves by “lording it over” others, his own life of service is the example they must follow.
Prayer
Let us not become weary in doing good.
Galatians 6:9
Action
The type of leadership Christians are called to is not usually evident in either political or religious arenas. How can you exercise it within your own sphere of activity? What change of perspective does it require?
Suggested Reading
You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles
lord it over them,
and their great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve.
Mark 10:42-45
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
For leadership there is only one road: service. There is no other way. If you have many qualities , the ability to communicate, etc. , but you are not a servant, your leadership will fail, it is useless, it has not power to gather [people] together… Leadership must enter into service, but with a personal love for the people.
Pope Francis
Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.
Francis of Assisi
The first and most important choice a leader makes is the choice to serve, without which one’s capacity to lead is severely limited.
Robert Greenleaf
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Mahatma Gandhi
The true heroes of the new millennium will be servant leaders, quietly working out of the spotlight to transform our world.
Ann McGee-Cooper
The purpose of life is not to win. The purpose of life is to grow and to share. When you come to look back on all that you have done in life, you will get more satisfaction from the pleasure you have brought into other people’s lives than you will from the times that you outdid and defeated them.
Rabbi Harold Kushner
I’ve learned that people forget what you sold, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou