31st Sunday, Ordinary Time

 


31ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME 


When our calendar year concludes, a list will be presented by our dear friends at Lake Superior State University: a list of words that deserve to be banished. Will the word “father” show up on the list? You almost have to wonder, given the subject matter of Matthew, chapter 23. You’re not supposed to call anybody on earth your “father” (Matt. 23:9). Furthermore, avoid adopting that title for yourselves. Is this Jesus taking the Lake Superior State approach? Is the word “father” actually being banished? If so, why would Jesus put the word “father” in the mouth of the infamous Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)? And why are the Corinthians being instructed to regard Paul as their spiritual father (1st Cor. 4:15)? 


The Lord appears to be targeting an attitude, over and against a term or an expression. By way of example, consider the word “maestro.”  Can this term be applied to someone like Leonard Bernstein? It seems appropriate, taking into account his career as a conductor and a composer (the composer of West Side Story). Yet it’s not as if his esteem would hang in the balance. You can use the expression, or you can decline to use the expression. Leonard Bernstein’s self-confidence will remain intact, either way. But what happens when we examine that character from Seinfeld—the one known as the Maestro? He leads a community orchestra, and for this reason he expects to be referred to as “The Maestro.”  He expects to be referred to in this way, whether he is in front of the orchestra or not. 


Eventually the question does end up being raised: should we indulge him? Clearly, his self esteem depends upon the use of that title. Might we be contributing to his psychosis? Would this further derail an already unhealthy frame of mind? Perhaps a line needs to be drawn. Perhaps we could use a dose of what Jesus provides in Matt. 23. He identifies a phenomenon that basically parallels the phenomenon outlined in the Seinfeld program. Members of the Jewish establishment have sacrificed their credibility. It’s turned into a twin obsession: unduly concerned with their image and with the use of titles. Jesus responds with a two-part warning: don’t feed their obsession; and in addition, don’t allow yourselves to be drawn into this type of a pattern. 


As far as patterns go, we’re clearly talking about an unhealthy frame of mind and heart. If we follow this particular path we will be setting ourselves up for a reprimand, similar to what’s being delivered in this passage from Malachi (2:1-9). On the other hand, we might choose to incorporate what’s being reflected by St. Paul as he corresponds with the community at Thessalonica (1st Thess. 2—note once more the use of the term “father”). Possibly we can be influenced by his example of humility, his example of service. Paul is somebody who recognizes the advantage that goes with humbling yourself. Those who humble themselves can anticipate being exalted. Meanwhile, if you insist on exalting yourself, then you will inevitably find yourself being brought low (Matt. 23:12). 

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