Thirty-first of of Year A
‘FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS’By Jose A. Pagola
(On Matthew 22:34-40.)
October 2011
The Gospel of Matthew has passed down to us some very strong anti-hierarchical sayings through which Jesus asks his followers to resist the temptation to convert his movement into a group led by wise rabbis, authoritarian fathers or leaders superior to others. These sayings have probably been shaped by Matthew to criticize the aspirations for greatness and power already no¬ticeable among second-generation Christians but which un¬doubtedly echo the authentic thinking of Jesus.
«Nor are you to be called "teacher" for you have one Teacher, while you are all brothers. In the community of Jesus no one owns his teaching. No one has to submit doctrinally to others. We are all brothers and sisters who help each other live the experience of a God who is a father who loves to reveal himself to «little ones».
«And do not call anyone on earth "father", for you have one Father, and he is in heaven». In the movement of Jesus there are no «fathers», only the one in heaven. No one has to take his place. No one should set himself over the others. Any title that introduces superiority over others is against fraternity.
Few evangelical exhortations have been ignored or dis¬obeyed as blatantly as these through the centuries. Even today the church flagrantly violates the gospel in practice. There are so many titles, prerogatives, honors and dignitaries that it is not always easy to experience others as real brothers and sisters.
Jesus imagined a church where there would not be «those above» or «those below», but instead, a church of brothers and sisters living in equality and solidarity. It is of no use to disguise the reality with the use of pious words like «service» and calling ourselves «brothers» in the liturgy. It is not a question of words but of a new spirit of mutual, friendly and fraternal service.
Will we ever see the call of the gospel fulfilled? Will we not know followers of Jesus who do not allow themselves to be called «teachers» or «fathers» or something similar? Will it be impossible to create a simpler, fraternal and loving atmos¬phere in the Church? What is blocking it?
( I may not be able to do anything much to change the embedded practises of long established religions and churches but I can certainly change my own attitude to these practises. )