I have heard some people object to the title, “Father” that is addressed to priests because according to them, Jesus commanded us not to call anyone Father. How about our biological fathers? Are we also not supposed to address them as fathers? What about the other titles mentioned by Jesus, teacher, master? This is one of those clear Scripture passages that we ought not to impose literal understanding.
The Lord’s injunction is directly tied to His reference of the seat of Moses. The Scribes and Pharisees occupy the seat of Moses as the teachers of the Law, but they barely practice what they teach. The Law is not just meant to be taught in theory but also in practice. Fatherhood is more than simply about biological birth. It is also leading the child as a witness to the role of authentic fatherhood. It extends to leading others by living a good, holy and exemplary life. Pope Paul VI once wrote: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers and if he does listen to a teacher, it is because he is a witness.” The book of Revelation refers to our Lord as “the faithful witness” (Rev 1:5). Jesus taught and still teaches through His perfect witnessing.
We have our perfect teacher in Christ. Christ’s teachings and teaching-role so impacted Mary Magdalene that her expression of the Christ as revealed to her at the tomb of Jesus was Rabboni (Teacher)! (cf. John 20:16). We also see a similar expression of the profound impact that Christ’s teaching had on the blind beggar who begged: “Rabbi that I may see” (Mark 10:51). Jesus not only teaches, He is also the teaching and the teacher. He has the mastery of the Law as well as the fulfilment of the Law.
Again, the Lord says, “call no one master.” That is to say, no human has the mastery needed to perfect the human person. Recall when the Lord met Peter and the other disciples very early in the morning as they were returning from all-night fishing without catching any fish. At the Lord’s bidding, Simon Peter exclaimed, “Master, we have toiled all night without catching anything, but at your word, I will lay down the net” (Lk 5:5). Scripture says that when they (Peter and his colleagues) laid down their nets, they had to call for help because they could not handle the number of fish they caught (at the Master’s bidding). Christ is the Master! I like the title because it gives the sense that nothing is beyond His control. He knows where everything you need “for life and godliness” (Cf. 2 Pt 1:3) is, including the fish which professional fishermen could not locate despite laboring all night.
In warning the crowds and the disciples not to call anyone father, teacher, and master, the Lord was saving us from possible disappointments that we see all over the world today. When someone we trust, admire, or take as a mentor (especially one in a position of authority) fails, we are disappointed. Authority does not immune one from being susceptible to human weaknesses. Authority is merely a seat of service, a place to learn with those one serves. A person in authority ought to be learning from Christ, the author of authority. That was the pattern of Moses. He was literarily going back and forth—conveying what God says to the people. Notice what Jesus said, “They (Pharisees and Scribes) do not practice what they teach….”
Unlike them, our walk with God is a daily practice of Jesus’ teachings. We are familiar with the saying, “practice makes perfect.” Isaiah the prophet’s call today echoes a similar message, “Learn to do good” (Is 1:17). This Lent, let us return to the foot of the cross of Jesus, the Teacher and Master, to learn the ways of God.
