ON ENJOYING BEING A TEACHER

In the Chinese culture, especially Confucianism, there is a clear distinction between the role of a teacher and that of a friend. A teacher tells you what the right thing to do is while a friend warns you what a mistake is. However, in reality, the roles of teachers and friends get mixed up very easily. In order to teach more effectively, many a teacher takes a more friendly approach instead of keeping a healthy distance, not necessarily a lofty one, from the students. Imperceptibly, the roles of teachers and friends get mixed up.
It is human nature to pick up others' mistakes easily and in time, a teacher pinpoints mistakes instead of articulating the right way. Pinpointing mistakes of others will inevitably elevate one position and ego. Teachers can easily become arrogant. When pointing out others' mistakes becomes a second nature, woe to that teacher. That explains why Confucius warned against this danger and said, "Enjoy being a teacher is a nuisance to people人之患在好為人師." Still, many people enjoy being a teacher, pinpointing others' mistakes to boost their own ego. What is worse, it is also human nature to be blind to one's own mistakes. In the end, people do not practise what they preach (Matthew 23:3).

Jesus practised what he preached. He taught us to pray for those who persecute you. He did it on the cross. He taught that the meek are blessed. He was meek and did not fight back when he was insulted and injured. He taught us to love even our enemies and when he was arrested, he healed an injured servant. He claimed that he did not come to abolish the law. He sent the healed leper to follow Moses' law to be examined by a priest and offered sacrifice ... He is the perfect teacher and we need other teachers no more (Matthew 23:10). Shall we stop others from enjoying being a Rabbi, a Father, a Master? No. They are free to enjoy what they want to enjoy. Others are able to judge whether they are what they claim. There is no harm having teachers of a variety of hues, of various degrees of perfection.

Master, be my friend as well. Amen.