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.

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Dear Parker,

Very stimulating article. As a protestant-style Christian, I realize I come with my own bias, but I agree with your conclusions. The Bible is full of instructions for mankind to remember that they are but man, dust, including any man who serves as the Pope. An office or title cannot make you Holy, and I have yet to hear of an instance where a human being was perfected while still on earth.

I'm much too fond of my dad to call him anything but dad, he knows that 'Father' is usually followed by a request for assistance of some kind (grin). His biological 'father' was no kind of father, and step-father was, er, less than ideal. So the word dad, or father, has real meaning to me as I consider how much I have -- a real dad and father -- compared to some who didn't get to have the rich, loving relationship that gives real meaning to the words, father, dad. The words are too special and convey too intimate a relationship for them to be used so casually, to virtual strangers.

I'll wait for heaven to see the ultimate Holy Father, and save my best superlatives for Him, I hope.

Thank you for sharing on what can be a very sensitive topic. 212 Looks fantastic, I can't wait to read it. - Elizabeth

[Thaddeus]

As a stuggling Catholic who attended Mass very faithfully for my first 33 some odd years of my 41 span, who attended Catholic schools for 17 years, who more recently has fallen away mostly from a two job, 4 kids life, I'm sort of suprised by the whole issue.

I've always thought the Father roles of biological father, Jesus as Abba (more Papa than just Rabbi or teacher), God the Father (of the Holy Trinity - Son and Holy Spirit), of priest and of the Pope were beautifully tied together. That a very organic, personal relationship would be sought with each figure - each real figure, and visa-versa, was very natural.

Though I can't quote line for line of our translated words of Jesus, I have listened to and read scripture, Old and New Testament, for as long as I could and to me it fits. To me "Father" is the neverending guide, teacher, servant, worker, bread provider.

And yes, many addresses with "Father" tend to come with an asking, a seeking for something, which I believe and hope the each wants to respond and give back ... for example..the priest as surrogate Father offering forgiveness and reconciliation in the sacred moment of personal confession of sins. Or consider the Pope dedicating his entire life to the struggles of the family of the whole church... YES, why would he want to have the title or the role of "Holy Father"? As a "father" of this family, do you think the pope's life is his own anymore? The example of John Paul II has so many illustrations of what the Pope is called to be.

It is very late and I hope I am expressing myself clearly and with passion without putting off discussion and openness. I look forward to considering whatever views your blog conversation brings forth,
Thanks

[David]

Dear Parker;

Having been raised Catholic in the first 15 years of my life, in the stricted sect of Catholicism, raised in a convent, close to a seminary, with nuns and priest everywhere in Italy, I learned quickly to see the words Holy Father as a means to understanding to respect of the leader of the Catholic Church deserves.

However, (I bet you knew this was coming) shouldn't the Pope be a servant leader? I am not saying that he is not (history shows that not be the case in many instances), but how does one obtain the title of "Holy Father". It is not written anywhere in the Bible that that there is to be a pope or for that matter one to be called "holy father" who is human (for all have sinned and fall short of Glory of God).
The bible does say that God is Holy, and if we are co-heirs with Jesus of God's kindgom that makes Him the only "Holy Father" I know.

You also wrote: "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'.

Actually, this is not true. A Christian is someone who accepts (key word)Christ as Lord and Savior'(John 3:16-21 is the whole thesis of God's redemptive act for the world) and because of that belief and acceptance the Christian lives out the teaching of Christ in their human life by understanding where salvation comes through God through the death, burial and resurrection power of Jesus Christ. He is/was/and will always be the living sacrificies for the atonement of our sins. And through the acceptance of His Grace and Mercy (the free unmerited gift of God ) we become His sons and daughers and have reconciliation with God the Creator, our Father in Heaven. (Not through any man or church but only through Christ).
In the Catholic Church, I learned that through the Church I was saved by Jesus. However, and this is the thesis of Martin Luther, we are saved by God's grace alone and not by any works that man performes or the stature of his character. If Jesus is the one who died and resurrected for my sins than He is the High Priest the connects me to the Holy Father, my God.

The discussion is theological at best. I have not been a Roman Catholic for quiet sometime (by the way the true form of the the name is Roman Catholic Church which means established by a Roman bishop (pope Gregory I) as opposed to the Eastern Catholic (or Orthodox Church). The word Catholic is a Greek word meaning "Universal" as in the Universal church establish by Christ and His disciples or apostoles, not sectarian or directed by the dichotomy of clergy and lay-people. The bible says that we are all ministers, ministers of the word of God and that we should all be involved in Christ's work.)

This post is lengthy and I appreciate you taking time to read it.

Comments?