Gospel Reading : Matthew 23:8-12
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ.
He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
What do the Fathers say?
PSEUDO-CHRYSOSTOM. Do not be called Rabbi, so that you do not take to yourselves what belongs to God.
And call not others Rabbi, so that you do not pay to men a divine honour.
For One is the Master of all, who instructs all men by nature.
Man cannot by teaching impart an understanding to man, but can only bring forth that understanding which has already been given by God.
And call no man your Father upon earth; because in this world although man begets man, yet there is one Father who created all men. For we have not beginning of life from our parents, but we have our life transmitted through them.
St John CHRYSOSTOM. Not only does the Lord forbid us to seek supremacy, but would lead His hearer to the very opposite; He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
St REMIGIUS. Which means that every one who thinks highly of his own deserts, shall be humbled before God; and every one who humbles himself concerning his good deeds, shall be exalted with God.
Sources:
Bible readings from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Second Catholic Edition, copyright © 2006 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Quotes of the Fathers from :
Thomas Aquinas’ Catena Aurea Translated by St John Henry Newman
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