“call no one on earth your father”
The Gospel reading for this week is one that many Protestants will use to claim that it is wrong to call priests “father.” That it is not only unbiblical, but it is contrary to what the Bible teaches. Catholics are not in contradiction with Jesus and the Bible and can prove that it is perfectly fine to call priests “father.”
First, we must look at the relationship with our biological fathers. We call our earthly fathers “father” because they participate in the creation of new life. They are to be the examples of our Heavenly Father. Nobody would prevent a son or daughter from calling the person they love and who helped create them “father.” If we look at it from a common sense standpoint, we know that Jesus is not forbidding any use of the word “father.” In the Bible, the idea of fatherhood is not constricted to just earthly fathers and God the Father. Spiritual fathers were also examples of those who had great respect, honor, and a special relationship.
Where in Scripture does it speak of a “spiritual father”? We first see it when Joseph wins favor over the Pharaoh in Egypt: “So it was not you who sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.” (Gen. 45:8) We see it in the book of Job when Job speaks of being a father to the poor: “I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.” (Job 29:16) We also see it when God Himself gives the fatherly role to Eliakim, a steward of the house of David: “In that day I will call my servant Eliakim...authority to his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.” (Is. 22:20-21) Lastly, we see it when Elijah is carried up in the fiery chariot and Elisha cries out, “My father, my father!” (2 Kgs. 2:12)
What about in the New Testament? There are Protestants and Fundamentalists who will argue that those were just the Old Testament points, and thus null and void because of Christ and His establishment of the New Covenant. But, we must remember that the Old Testament is vital for the New Testament. Jesus did not come to completely wipe the slate clean, but to fulfill the Old Covenant. (cf. Mat. 5:17) Let us look at a few ways to respond to these accusations. First, we have already established that the literal meaning of this text is not to be taken, due to the fact that we have earthly and biological fathers. Secondly, we see examples of referring to one’s ancestors as “father.” In the book of Acts, Stephen refers to Abraham as, “our father Abraham” (Acts 7:2), and also in Romans Paul says “our father Isaac.” (Rom 9:10) We see the old not being forgotten, but honored. As Americans, we similarly see the “founding fathers” and honor what they did.
We see other examples of St. Paul being recognized as a father figure. For example, when writing to the first Christians in Corinth, Paul said, “as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, to be imitators of me.” (1 Cor 4:14-16) Paul encouraged them to be like him because he knew if they did, then they would be imitators of Christ. Also in the letter to the Galatians, we see Paul writing in a fatherly way by saying, “My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you!” (Gal 4:19) St. Paul had a deep fatherly love and wanted to take care of their spiritual needs, just as our Heavenly Father does.
We must also look at the whole context of this week’s Gospel reading. Jesus goes on to say, “But you are not to be called ‘rabbi’ for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called ‘master,’ for you have one master, the Christ.” (Matt. 23:8-10) Rabbi is translated as “teacher,” and Christ himself appointed many people to be teachers in the Church. Five chapters later, Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20) If we took the command to “call no man teacher” literally, then all Christians would be in violation of Christ’s teaching. When any professional earns their Ph. D., whether it is medical, scientific, or professional, we call them “doctor.” The word “doctor” is Latin for “teacher.” Likewise, the words “Mister” and “Mistress” (Mrs.) are forms of the word “Master,” also mentioned by Jesus.
So what does Jesus mean then? Jesus was speaking to the Apostles about the scribes and Pharisees who had perverted their titles and authority. They did not see their roles as humble servants of God, but as the ultimate authority, teacher, and father figure. Jesus was speaking in hyperbole, which means an exaggeration to make a point. Jesus spoke in hyperbole several times in Scripture to make many points. For example, He tells us to pluck out our eyes if they cause us to sin, but if we took that literally, we would all be blind. (cf. Matt. 5:29) Jesus is not condemning calling other people “father,” but is warning us of the misuse of the word, when someone sees himself or herself as greater than God.
Why do we call our priests “father”? The Church teaches us that the men who foster our faith through preaching and Baptism should also be seen as parents. [1] We see in Scripture that Peter, Paul, and John took on a fatherly role with their spiritual sons and daughters. (cf. Gal. 4:19; 1Tim. 1:18; 2Tim.:2:1; Philem. 10; 1Pet. 5:13; 1Jn 2:1; 3Jn 4) We know that today, as members of a parish, we make a commitment to the priest’s spiritual care. Priests provide us with new life in Christ through Baptism, forgiveness and mercy through Penance and food of the Body of Christ in the Eucharist. This is why we with spiritual love, call priests “father.” Likewise, the priests, following in the Apostles’ example, see us as their spiritual sons and daughters.
How is a priest a “spiritual father”? When we look at our earthly parents they give us life when we are born. They then have to hold and protect us until we can hold up our own head, sit up without falling and finally craw and walk. They have to feed us until we can feed our self and when we are sick they give us the care we need. They are obligated to do all these things for our body. Each person is not just a body, but a composite of body and a soul, therefore we need people on earth to take care of our souls.. In His great mercy, Jesus left us our bishops and priests to pastor and care for our soul. They give us spiritual birth (Baptism), they help us to grow strong and firm (Confirmation), they feed us (Eucharist) and when we are sick heal us (Reconciliation).
Source: The Essential Catholic Survival Guide pg. 185-191
[1] Catechism of the Council of Trent, III, 5, 8