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
The passage is embedded in a lesson Jesus is giving about the Pharisees and about how they like to be admired and were far from holy or humble men. They like to be called "rabbi" he says, don't do this yourself. Meaning don't be flattered or be impressed with such. Don't go out looking to impress people with your holiness. Don't be hypocrites, but rather be humble followers.
That is what it means. It was never meant to be a blanket prohibition against saying verboten words. Good grief, even Protestants send their kids to Sunday School where they learn from "teachers."
St. Paul refers to himself as the Corinthians "father in faith," and it is exactly this relationship which leads to Catholic priests being called "Father." If we are wrong to use the naughty word, then so was Paul.
SD