Sunday Reflection (November 12, 2023)

We Methodists do not have honorific titles for our ministers such as Rabbi, Father, or Master as in a Zen Master, but we do have honorific titles such as Reverend, Reverend Dr., Professor, Bishop, or as I am called at home: Most Holy Reverend (that one I made up). More appropriately my dear cousin Greg Dixon called me Rev. Nut.

Yes, we have our own set of honorific titles, and anyone can use an honorific title to lord it over others, and yes, Reverends, Bishops, and Professors have been guilty of that. The point is this: Do we desire the title without the service or gain the title because of our service? Matthew tells us of Pharisees and Scribes who like anyone with an honorific title can abuse the position. Matthew points out that humility comes first (Matthew 23:1-12).