THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS OF FATHER

"Honor thy father and thy mother." A man is called father not only by

reason of generation, but also for other reasons, and to each of these

there is due a certain reverence. Thus, the Apostles and the Saints are

called fathers because of their doctrine and their exemplification of

faith: "For if you have ten thousands instructors in Christ, yet not many

fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I have begotten you."³¹ And

again: "Let us now praise men of renown and our fathers in their

generation."³² However, let us praise them not in word only, but by

imitating them; and we do this if nothing is found in us contrary to what

we praise in them.

Our superiors in the Church are also called fathers; and they too are to be

respected as the ministers of God: "Remember your prelates, . . . whose

faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."³³ And again: "He

that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me."³⁴

We honor them by showing them obedience: "Obey your prelates, and be

subject to them."³⁵ And also by paying them tithes: "Honor the Lord with

thy substance, and give Him of the first of thy fruits."³⁶

Rulers and kings are called fathers: "Father, if the prophet had bid thee

do some great thing, surely thou shouldst have done it."³⁷ We call them

fathers because their whole care is the good of their people. And we honor

them by being subject to them: "Let every soul be subject to higher

powers."³⁸ We should be subject to them not merely through fear, but

through love; and not merely because it is reasonable, but because of the

dictates of our conscience. Because "there is no power but from God."³⁹ And

so to all such we must render what we owe them: "Tribute, to whom tribute

is due; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honor, to whom

honor."⁴⁰ And again: "My son, fear the Lord and the king."⁴¹

Our benefactors also are called fathers: "Be merciful to the fatherless as

a father."⁴² He, too, is like a father [who gives his bond] of whom it is

said: "Forget not the kindness of thy surety."⁴³ On the other hand, the

thankless shall receive a punishment such as is written: "The hope of the

unthankful shall melt away as the winter's ice."⁴⁴ Old men also are called

fathers: "Ask thy father, and he will declare to thee; thy elders and they

will tell thee."⁴⁵ And again: "Rise up before the hoary head, and honor the

person of the aged man."⁴⁶ "In the company of great men take not upon thee

to speak; and when the ancients are present, speak not much."⁴⁷ "Hear in

silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee."⁴⁸ Now, all

these fathers must be honored, because they all resemble to some degree our

Father who is in heaven; and of all of them it is said: "He that despiseth

you, despiseth Me."⁴⁹