[hopefulpilgrim]

"Pray for the Pope"

Just curious..what does Matt. 23:9 mean to a Catholic? Seriously.

[IMRight]

Jesus was condeming the misuse of authority extant in the rabbis (particularly the Pharisees). He was also reminding us that we should never confuse a fleshly relationship with the one we have with our Father in Heaven.

Is this a trick question? Like you think that the English word "father" is somehow covered by this proscription in a way that "teacher","doctor","pastor","Mr or Mrs" etc. is not?

[SoothingDave]

Just curious..what does Matt. 23:9 mean to a Catholic? Seriously.

And here I thought it was something new. Turns out it's our old friend:

8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren.
9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
10 Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ.

What this means, obviously, is that the word "father," the word "teacher," and the word "master" must never cross our lips. No more going to school, we might find "teachers" there. No more learning music or going to the symphony, we might find a maestro there. We must take this passage very literally because it obviously condemns the entire Catholic Church. Right at face value. The stupid Catholics didn't even know this was in the Bibles they were copying.

SD