fathers and titles

"And today's second collection is for the Holy Father," the priest said.

I turned to my wife, "Jesus needs money?"

She laughed.

"I'm serious. Who's the Holy Father?"

"I think it's the pope."

"Why does he need money?"

I was baptized a Catholic, confirmed as a Catholic, and have gone to Catholic church most of my life. For whatever reason, until that day about a month ago when I heard that, I somehow missed that the leader of what I would call "my church" was referred to as the Holy Father.

"Father" is also how Catholics generally refer to the leaders of their parish or individual church... but it's just "Father" rather than "Holy Father".

To me is seems inappropriate that one would ask another to call them "father" unless of course they were in fact, "my father.”

It's a pretty powerful title for most of us... left for the person who created us along with our mother... and of course, depending upon your belief, our heavenly father... not to be confused with the Holy Father.

My point is this... it's my understanding Catholicism is a religion made up of Christians and a Christian is...

"one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ"

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus himself is quoted as saying...

"And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." (Matthew 23:9)

I'm not sure what Jesus would like me to call my dad but I'm thinking he'd be okay with father (but maybe not). As for a leader in His church, I'm guessing he meant what Matthew quoted him as saying. I'm a layperson though, so perhaps I'm wrong. But the church is made up of laypersons, isn't it?

Discuss this with someone who supports the "Father" title and they'll point out how Jesus didn't actually mean you couldn't call a church or spiritual leader "Father". He was really addressing a much bigger issue that he speaks to a couple verses later...

"The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:11-12)

My interpretation of this... Jesus was telling us we should not put ourselves above others and reminding us that we are at each other's service at all times.

For me though, the title of "father" exalts someone and feels inappropriate for anyone other than my dad. In fact, it surprises me a Christian leader would want the title.