2,000 years ago a peasant rabbi said something memorable about greatness.

Jesus' two highest lieutenants asked how they might achieve position and power. He famously said, 'the greatest among you will be your servant.’ And these words live on.

Sure America's greatness comes from our military might, our vast wealth, our work ethic, and our ability to educate a large percentage of our populace.

But it comes even moreso from our altruism -  our financial generosity to needy countries, our determined interest in caring for the environment, our willingness to help refugees and immigrants, and our devotion to caring for the vulnerable - children, elderly, and ailing - something America does in spades. Our fundamental greatness is as a country that doesn't horde, but shares.

I think most people realize that our best selves emerge when we engage in self-giving and that we cause harm when we pursue selfishness and cruelty. It’s no wonder we name our dogs Caesar and Nero and our children Stephen and Peter.

On Sunday we’ll hear the memorable story of a poor widow who gave her last 2 cents to the poor, and thus gave more than anyone around her. 

Making America great means showing this kind of concern. It means paying more attention to our neighbors, serving the suffering and vulnerable, and making room for those with no home.  It's a call to use our abundant resources in the service of responsibility - and to shun those lesser angels of pride and selfishness.

To the degree in which America practices this will we be known as great.