How does a ‘religious’ leader resemble a humble servant when he exalts himself above the flock? They call him ‘holy father’ and line up to kneel before him and kiss the ring on his finger. — Who would need all of that attention and exalt himself like that? “For you have said in your heart: ‘ I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God…”
Matthew 23:5-12 (NKJV)
5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
How does a ‘religious’ leader resemble a humble servant when he exalts himself above the flock? They call him ‘holy father’ and line up to kneel before him and kiss the ring on his finger. — Who would need all of that attention and exalt himself like that?
Isaiah 14:12-15 (NKJV)
12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart: ‘ I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.
Photo caption/credit: Pope Benedict XVI thanks World Youth Day volunteers at a ceremony at The Domain in Sydney July 21, 2008. (Reuters)
I find it so offensive when Pope Benedict opens his mouth and says something hypocritical. I’m not sure if anyone else notices it, but isn’t it rather strange that the man leading the Catholic Church issues ‘new sins’ and wants to tell people what GOD finds offensive… the leader of the institution whose priests have been systematically raping young boys for decades, if not centuries? The leader of the same institution whose administrators have been looking the other way while GOD’s innocent are raped… and who put these pedophile priests (sullying their garments and causing man to despise GOD) in new locations or some place where they won’t be harassed (or to continue their ‘habits’)– instead of sending them to court to face their accusers? 