Titles Aren't Important

Feb. 27: Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent

Today’s Gospel is the source of the whole “call no man father” business. Protestants love to throw this verse at Catholics, as if in the 2,000 year history of the Church, no one from Augustine to Aquinas noticed that they call priests “father”?

Look at the surrounding verses. Jesus also says do not be called “Rabbi,” which we tend to think of as a special class of people (like priest), but literally just means “teacher.” Do you think everyone who worked at your elementary school was committing a grave sin?

And let’s not forget Jesus probably knew a little Latin, living under Roman rule. “Doctor” is just the Latin word for “teacher.” So, the next time you have an appointment, pull out Matthew 23:8 and tell him to get a new title.

Orrrrrrr… recognize that Jesus is exaggerating. He obviously wants us to call our biological or adoptive fathers “father.” And really, if we only called God “father,” the metaphor would be lost. What would it mean to have a Father in Heaven if we didn’t have one on Earth?

Besides, even a cursory glance of the New Testament will yield several instances of the Apostles using the term “father” as a term of honor and respect. Are we accusing Paul and John of disobeying Jesus’ commandment?

Reading 1

Is 1:10, 16-20

Hear the word of the LORD, princes of Sodom! Listen to the instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah!

Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan's plea, defend the widow.

Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. If you are willing, and obey, you shall eat the good things of the land; But if you refuse and resist, the sword shall consume you: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken!

The bit of Isaiah we skipped over here actually provides some interesting context, so I’m not sure why it was excised. The people (not literally of Sodom and Gomorrah; that’s just name calling) have been making sacrifices as prescribed by the law, but in between, they’ve been partying all night while oppressing the poor all day. Isaiah calls for them to wash their hands because they’re covered in the blood of their victims.

But even after all that, God is willing to forgive. They (and by extension, we) have to turn away from sin, though. You can’t just say “sorry,” and move on. You actually have to do better.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23

R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,
for your burnt offerings are before me always.
I take from your house no bullock,
no goats out of your fold."
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"Why do you recite my statutes,
and profess my covenant with your mouth,
Though you hate discipline
and cast my words behind you?"
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
"When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."
R. To the upright I will show the saving power of God.

It’s not the sacrifices that God rejects. Keep up your Lenten fast! But it’s not just prayers and external sacrifice God wants. He wants us to follow Him all the time, in our hearts and minds as well as actions.

Verse Before the Gospel

Ez 18:31

Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD,
and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

The emphasis in all these readings, in case you missed it,¹ is that it's never too late to turn away from sin. God will always welcome us back.

Gospel

Mt 23:1-12

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

The thing that Jesus is criticizing is the hypocrisy. People who seek out the titles of “Father” and “Teacher” only so they can be honored and respected.

Jesus wants us to honor and respect what they teach, because what they teach is the Word of God. But the honor due to the teacher/father/master extends only so far as they practice those beliefs.

Don’t seek empty honors; seek to do what’s right. Everything else will come from that.

1. I know I did, the first time through.