Jesus called them and said, You know that among the Gentiles those they call their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. Among you this is not to happen. No, anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. ... Mark 10:42-45

This passage insists upon the death of Jesus as a pattern in which his followers participate. Since the first meaning of participating in the death of Jesus is the renunciation of ordinary greatness to be a slave in service of others, all Christians have an obligation to service.
New Interpreter's Bible Commentary

Who are the 'rulers and great ones' in today's society? Politicians, business executives, athletes, entertainers? If you stopped people on the street or in a mall and asked them to name a great man or woman, what would they answer? The President or First Lady or Secretary of State, a Supreme Court Justice, a General, businessmen like Donald Trump or Bill Gates? I saw a headline today that read, "Martha Stewart Trumps Critics, Becomes Superhero.{ Perhaps some of these or other similar people do some very good things at times, some may do terrible things at other times. But I think it is obvious that the standard most Americans use when evaluating greatness would be closer to "The Apprentice" than that of the way of the Prince of Peace. Among you this is not to happen. (v.43)

The standards the world uses when evaluating greatness is backwards when it comes to the Kingdom that Jesus heralded. The truly great are not these rulers or VIPs, those with status, power, and prestige. The truly great are those who are doing the will of Jesus and the Father, those working for justice for the poor and oppressed, the peacemakers, those working to break down barriers that separate humanity, like race, ethnicity, religious disagreements, sickness and disease, and so on. The truly great are those who risk their lives at times in the service of others. As Christians we are called to ignore the temptation to worldly greatness, enduring ridicule, persecution, and shame for the Gospel. Let us then ask for God's help to have the courage to live in this way, to participate in his Kingdom, seeking only his glory.

If you have done right and suffer for it, your endurance is worthwhile in the sight of God; To this you were called, because Christ suffered on your behalf, and left you an example; it is for you to follow in his steps. He committed no sin, he was guilty of no falsehood; when they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate, when he suffered he uttered no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
... 1 Peter 2:20b-23

Contributed by David M.
Published Sunday March 20, 2005
Week 17 of Liturgical Year A