Don’t listen to hypocrites and on the flip side keep checking myself and correcting myself when I see a hypocrisy that I do.
Keep my ego in check and be weary of those whose egos are blinding.
The whole Rabbi, father, and Master thing is interesting. Jewish leaders, Catholic leaders and Jedi leaders 😊.?
The word father is lower cased so that’s a bit confusing. Maybe he’s talking about my earthly father.
Maybe the whole statement is a reminder that those men are human and nothing more. That they are weak to sin like you and I. That when those men fall (like we all do from time to time) to remember they are not the faith.
God is God. man is human.
He replaces it with; one teacher, you are all brothers (Rabbi), Father in heaven(father) & the Christ(Master).
I’m getting the feeling that Jesus is reminding me to keep my ego in check. Reminding me that I'm just a dude, living on a rock, traveling thousands of miles an hour in the middle of a vast universe.
He ends it with the emphasis of being a servant and a humble servant to boot.
Just my thoughts.
What does today's gospel say to you?
Todays Gospel
Matthew 23:1-12
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/022718.cfm
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,
"The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.
Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,
but do not follow their example.
For they preach but they do not practice.
They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry
and lay them on people's shoulders,
but they will not lift a finger to move them.
All their works are performed to be seen.
They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,
greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'
As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'
You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.
Call no one on earth your father;
you have but one Father in heaven.
Do not be called 'Master';
you have but one master, the Christ.
The greatest among you must be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
(this picture grabbed my heart strings)