OBEYING GOD RATHER THAN MEN
Nowadays,
obedience is not easy to come by. We have laws, but it seems nobody
wants to follow them. Only small-time taxpayers whose taxes are already
deducted from their payslips seem to pay taxes religiously.
People cut corners, turn two-lane roads into five lanes, and create
bottlenecks everywhere. Sidewalks have become stalls, stores, extension
gardens and repositories of junked vehicles.
Obedience to laws for the sake of the common good is a tough nut to
crack. One needs political will, tenacity of purpose, and clarity of
vision. One does not obey because something is mandated. Something is
mandated because there is a value attached to it — a value that goes
beyond mere personal benefit or convenience, but has to do with the
common good, and more besides, like spiritual goods.
Today, Peter and the Apostles disobeyed the orders of the
authorities. The powers-that-be were rattled as the small ragtag group
of preachers “filled
Jerusalem with [their] teaching.” Now, that’s what you call zealous
preaching! I know of some preachers who could easily preach for an hour
but, of course, length does not translate to powerful and substantial,
especially if all one does is to sing a few songs to force-fit to the
readings.
Because of their disobedience, the Apostles were made to stand before
the Sanhedrin. They were placed under duress and threatened. But heroes
and holy men are not only bold and courageous. They also have clarity of
vision. They knew who, ultimately, was their Boss, to whom alone
obedience is due.
Peter and the Apostles knew whom to obey. In the face of conflicting
values, they chose wisely and did rightly. They obeyed God rather than
men. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How easy or hard is it for you to obey man-made laws? How about God-ordained laws?
I pray for the grace of obedience to You, Lord, so that I may reap the rewards of eternal life.
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