Catholics call their priests “father.”
Does this contradict Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 23:9, where he commands, “Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven”?
The answer is no.
Understanding Matthew 23:9 hinges on hyperbole, a literary device used for emphasis. We use hyperbole to amplify a point, and Jesus employs it here to make his message loud and clear.
We must allow the Lord to use hyperbole – afterall, He is communicating with us in our own terms and modes of speech – and we must allow for titles as Jesus Himself and the early Church did.
Context is Key
To grasp Matthew 23:9, consider its context. Just four chapters earlier, Jesus references fathers and mothers (Matthew 19:16-30), even directly highlighting the importance of honoring them (Matthew 19:19). This demonstrates Jesus’ recognition of familial roles, and shows His directive is not a blanket rejection of the term “father.”
Furthermore, Jesus’ teachings often call for radical commitment – forsaking earthly attachments for the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19). This does not diminish the natural family that God Himself created, but places it within a greater spiritual context.
Spiritual Fathers
The instruction not to call anyone “father” on earth can be viewed against this backdrop. It serves as a reminder of God’s ultimate authority and fatherhood, urging humility and acknowledging that human authority pales in comparison. Saint Paul echoes this sentiment in Ephesians 3:14-19.
The New Testament itself showcases instances where “father” acknowledges both spiritual and biological paternity, emphasizing that all fatherhood ultimately stems from God.
Jesus and the Apostles use “father” in their teachings. Jesus refers to “Father Abraham” (Luke 16:24), and Paul calls Abraham the “father of all who believe” (Romans 4:11). He even describes his relationship with Timothy as “a son with a father” (Philippians 2:22).
Most significantly, Paul claims spiritual fatherhood in 1 Corinthians 4:15: “For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” These references illustrate the nuanced use of “father” in scripture.
Some early Church Fathers – that’s right, they’re also called “Fathers” – like Saint John Chrysostom, recognized the need for nuance in interpreting Matthew 23:9. Chrysostom, in his Homily 72 on Matthew, clarifies that Jesus cautions against seeking titles like “Rabbi” or “father” for self-importance or exclusivity. He emphasizes Jesus’ message is not an absolute ban on the titles but a reminder of God’s ultimate authority.
The Priest as Father
Catholics calling their priests “father” does not contradict Jesus’ teachings. This title for priests reflects a deeper understanding of spiritual fatherhood. Priests act not only as spiritual guides but also as ordained ministers serving “in persona Christi” (in the person of Christ). Through priestly ordination, they are empowered to administer the Sacraments, vital for spiritual life and salvation.
Within this framework, the Sacraments become powerful expressions of the priest’s spiritual fatherhood. As a biological father participates in the natural procreation of a child, the priest, in the Sacrament of Baptism, participates in the supernatural rebirth of a person into new life.
In the Sacrament of Penance (Confession), through, with, and in Jesus, the priest forgives sin and welcomes one back into the fold.
In the Eucharist, where the Church carefully dinstinguishes between the Eucharist as a Sacrifice and the Eucharist as a Sacrament, the priest first offers the supreme sacrifice (the Mass) that takes away the sins of the world and then nourishes the faithful with the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divnity of the Lord Himself (the Sacrament).
The priest acts as an intermediary, channeling God’s love and mercy to his spiritual children. This harmonious blend of spiritual guidance and sacramental ministry solidifies the priest’s status as a spiritual father. It highlights the Church as a spiritual family built not on natural blood ties, but on the Precious Blood of Jesus that washes away sin and makes all things new.
By calling priests “father,” the faithful acknowledge the special bond and irreplaceable mission of priests in their spiritual journey toward Heaven.