Have you ever heard the charge from non-Catholics that it is
an unbiblical practice for us to refer to our priests, “Father”? Doesn’t
Jesus specifically warn against this practice in Matt. 23:9? What, then, are
we to call the man who sired or raised us or the person who taught us in
school?
Many people who make this charge do so by side-stepping the truth in an effort to discredit the Church. What many non-Catholics don’t mention is that Jesus is using hyperbole (exaggeration) to make a point and does so many times in Scripture. In the verse that precedes this (Matt: 23:8), Jesus tells us not to call people “Teachers”. Is Jesus telling us that we can’t call certain people "fathers" or “teachers” when they may actually be fathers or teachers? The answer is a resounding, “No.” He is telling us that no man is to be considered father above our Father in heaven and no person is to be considered teacher above our Teacher in heaven.
Many people who make this charge do so by side-stepping the truth in an effort to discredit the Church. What many non-Catholics don’t mention is that Jesus is using hyperbole (exaggeration) to make a point and does so many times in Scripture. In the verse that precedes this (Matt: 23:8), Jesus tells us not to call people “Teachers”. Is Jesus telling us that we can’t call certain people "fathers" or “teachers” when they may actually be fathers or teachers? The answer is a resounding, “No.” He is telling us that no man is to be considered father above our Father in heaven and no person is to be considered teacher above our Teacher in heaven.
Jesus was speaking about the Scribes and Pharisees who exalted themselves before all: “They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.”(Matt 23:6-7).
Consider the following passages:
- Jesus said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the
thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56).
- St. Stephen refers to "our
father Abraham," (Acts 7:2).
- St. Paul speaks of "our
father Isaac” (Romans 9:10).
- For I became your
father in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:14–15).
- "For this I was
appointed a preacher and apostle . . . a
teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth" (1 Tim. 2:7).
- "For this gospel
I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher" (2 Tim. 1:11).
- "God has
appointed in the church first Apostles, second prophets, third teachers" (1 Cor. 12:28).
There are but a few of many examples of these words in Scripture that prove the Catholic position. Our priests are our fathers and teachers in Christ and in no way attempt to usurp God’s authority.
There are but a few of many examples of these words in Scripture that prove the Catholic position. Our priests are our fathers and teachers in Christ and in no way attempt to usurp God’s authority.
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