Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Sarasota recently shared a message that Christians are called to foster humility in their spirit and way of life.

"Christian leadership has an even greater responsibility," the message said, which was published in the "Reflection with Fr. Joe" column of the church's Nov. 1 bulletin. "It comes through in countless concrete ways, always rooted in the inspiration given by a servant messiah. The world is very unaccustomed to this way of acting, so the need for it will never diminish."

The message stated that in secular society, there are positions of authority that usually include rank or status.

"These can serve as incentives and in some way compensate for the weight of the office itself," the message said. "It is interesting to note that even in states which allege total equality; symbols of ranks are never completely eradicated."

The message noted that Jesus always emphasized a totally different character of authority within the church and avoided the ceremony and titles.

"This idea of leadership seen in terms of minority and service, avoiding pomp, ostentation, even titles, is strongly emphasized as a hallmark of the Christian community," the message said. "To pass over it as something purely secondary fails to accord it the force that the inspired word of God itself gives."

The message remarked that the Apostle Paul was always totally available to the Christian community.

"What can so easily happen is that the message that the distinctiveness of the church in its lifestyle is called to give suffers from a reverse situation," the message stated. "We become imitators of worldly patterns rather than the world learning from us."

Paul modeled apostleship; and while he exercised authority, he did not lord it over anyone and did not ask for special privileges. He humbly worked side-by-side with both Christians and non-Christians.

"All Christians are called to cultivate a humble spirit and way of life," the message said.