There are several objections that some Protestants have regarding the Catholic faith. These include the claim that Catholics worship Mary…we don’t. We honor her. Objection to the primacy of the Pope…we are in good company since Jesus set that wheel in motion. That we confess our sins to a person and not to God…Jesus also initiated that one when He gave the power to forgive sins in persona Christi (person of Christ).
But one of the common objections gets its basis in today’s Gospel from Matthew, chapter 23. In it, Jesus tells his apostles to call no man Father since there is only one Father in heaven. Now, context is everything and it is easy to isolate many phrases from the Bible and draw whatever conclusion you would like. I really doubt that Jesus is suggesting that you should not refer to the man who is married to your Mother as Father. Taking this reading to heart would also mean to not refer to that person standing in front of your math class as teacher, since he also said that we have but one teacher. And Master? That is a no-no also according to this reading. Oh, and that term Rabbi? Nip that one in the bud as well. See how I did that? Used “nip” and “Rabbi” in the same sentence. Just sayin’.
In this reading, Jesus is talking about how the Pharisees love putting themselves out there in places of honor for all to see. They prominently display their phylacteries (Tefillin: small boxes containing the scrolls of the law and fastened with leather straps to their foreheads or on the arms) and lengthen their tassels (cords at the edges of garments to remind the wearer of the commandments). He is warning against practices that set the individual apart in place of God. Where they are, in a sense, being worshiped.
Jesus is stressing the need to be humble. To serve others. To be exalted in your humility. It does not mean to avoid showing respect. He tells His disciples to listen and adhere to the words of the Pharisees but to avoid their actions. And that how it is with calling a priest Father. It is a sign of respect. Now, it is true, that some priests earn that title by showing service and humility while others use the position for stepping up to higher political positions in the Church. But the term highlights how the priest is to be the spiritual Father of his congregation. A guiding force for the faith life of the flock. We have a priest in our diocese by the name of Burke Masters. He REALLY has an issue when this reading comes up in the church cycle since he goes by Father Masters.
A quick word about the first reading today from the book of Ruth. We read a bit yesterday about how Ruth left her home in Moab with her husband, Mother-In-Law Naomi, Sister-In-Law and Brother-In-Law bound for the ancestral home of Naomi in Bethlehem. Along the way the husbands died leaving the women alone and in a socially precarious state. Noami asked her daughters in law to return to their families in Moab. One did, but Ruth refused to leave Naomi and traveled with her to Bethlehem. There she became married to Boaz, who was impressed with her loyalty to Naomi. Together they had a son and named him Obed. Obed had a son named Jesse who was the Father of King David. And, as we know, Jesus was from the line of David, who is from the stump of Jesse. So the greatest king of Israel, and from whom the Messiah will arise, is the great grandson of a Moabite woman…a Gentile.
Most of you know that I like to post music that relates to the readings. And this reading from Ruth is no exception. Here is a wonderful song called,
