Pope Callistus was the Bishop of Rome for four years (in the 3rd century). He wrote a series of letters to Bishops in Gaul, counseling them on how to be better leaders in the Church. He had seen some examples which disturbed him, wherein Bishops were "leading" in less than Christlike ways, and he sought to correct that.

In one of Pope Callistus' letters, he counseled fellow clergy to not see their position as akin to that of a prince or king—who are often almost worshiped and always obeyed by their subjects. Callistus invited clergy to counsel with local leaders (like parish priests), rather than commanding them or usurping their local authority (because the Bishop or Metropolitan possessed broader reaching authority). He counseled them to act "by consent of all the pontiffs of the same province, and that too without any pride of lordship, but with the most humble and harmonious action." And then he added, "even as the Lord says: 'I came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.' [Matthew 20:28] And in another passage He says: 'And whosoever of you is the greater, shall be your servant,' [Mark 10:44] and so forth."

Our verse for today, much like Pope Callistus' application of it, is that "leaders"—in whatever capacity they serve—are to be exactly that: "servants"! This applies to political leaders (so supposedly "serve" in congress), and also ecclesiastical leaders (who are often "served" and venerated by their parishioners). Callistus was right; if Popes & Priests represent Christ, then it is their solemn duty to "serve" their people, rather than to be "waited upon" by their people. This message is not simply true for political or Church leaders, but also applies to the lives of disciples of Jesus Christ.