31ST SUNDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR I
THEME: “YOU MUST CALL NO ONE ON EARTH YOUR FATHER”
By: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu
This is the 31st Sunday in ordinary time (Yr.A). The readings of this Sunday, especially, the Gospel, present us with challenging and critical teachings that have been very difficult to grapple with for many centuries now. They include, the controversy of addressing certain religious leaders with such titles as: “Rabbi,” “Father”, “Master” (or Minister), and “Teacher.” These have raised much arguments and criticisms that are yet unresolved. The challenges they pose cut across domestic, religious, social and political sectors of the society we live in. Most people tend to direct their criticisms on one aspect of all these . They often ask, why do Catholics address their priests as “Father?” They don’t even ask, why did Jesus say, “do not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi or Teachers” (Mtt. 23:1-12).
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We must understand the context in which Jesus said this. He used hyperbole to describe the excessive arrogance of the people of his time. Those in position of authority in those days assumed the place of God. They wanted to be worshipped like gods. They placed themselves higher than God and wanted to be adored without questioning their power. For this reason, God warns them through the prophet Malachi as follows: “You have strayed from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your teaching” (Mal.1:14-2:2.8-10).
This teaching of Jesus does not imply that our biological fathers must be denied . It does not mean that the spiritual roles of our religious leaders should be taken away from them. Jesus is telling our religious leaders to be humble and to play their role without arrogance. They should not behave like the Scribes and the Pharisees. “Everything they do is done to attract attention.” There are many places in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible where the title “Father” is used to address the spiritual leaders of the people. Elisha cried “My Father , My Father to Elijah (2Kgs. 2:12). In 2Kings 6:21, Elisha is called a Father by the King of Israel. In Acts 7:2 we read, “Brothers and fathers…” In Romans 9:10 we read, our father Isaac. There are other places where “teacher” and “master”(Lk 16) are used to address leaders in the Bible. We use “Father” for Catholic priests as a sign of respect for their spiritual roles in our lives. This does not contradict the teachings of Jesus. May God help us to value and respect our spiritual leaders, amen. Happy Sunday.
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