A Lesson in Humility

   In this Sunday's reading from Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus gives his disciples and the crowd a lesson in humility.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.

I don't think that needs much explanation, but I am aware of the controversy over calling priests "Father".  Personally, I usually refer to priests by their first names without an appellation, and I have never been corrected. I think that as long as people keep God the Father as #1 on their hearts and minds, they can call their ministers, pastors, or priests whatever they want as long as the clergy maintains the humility that Jesus demands.