Obedience to Authority

Scripture/Bible:  Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples,2 Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. 3 All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy and insupportable burdens, and lay them on men's shoulders; but with a finger of their own they will not move them. 5 And all their works they do for to be seen of men. For they make their phylacteries broad, and enlarge their fringes. 6 And they love the first places at feasts, and the first chairs in the synagogues, 7 And salutations in the market place, and to be called by men, Rabbi. 8 But be not you called Rabbi. For one is your master; and all you are brethren. 9 And call none your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters; for one is you master, Christ. 11 He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matt 23:1-12 Douay-Rheims

Reflection: Obedience, submission and authority has often dogged people and individuals in the faith. Scripture no doubt calls us to submission and obedience as in today’s Gospel reading.  Jesus is fully conscious of the authority of the chair of Moses and calls all his disciples and the Multitude too to respect and obey the chair of Moses and to observe and do accordingly.   

But what is fascinating is the action of these very apostles when they are dragged before the authorities of their time. Compare this gospel text with the action of Peter and John in Acts 4: 5-22

We find a great contradiction if we look at it plainly.  Instead of obeying the chair of Moses they question the chair and call them to answer and tell them what is true.

Why were the Apostles disobedient to Jesus and his teachings?  There were not because Christ Jesus by rising from the dead had established a new Chair (Mt. 28:18), Peter and John in a way were exercising their new authority.  They had the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit on their side and they were willing to face the consequence for the exercise of such authority.

This authority still governs the church in the Catholic Church and only those can stand and correct who are within it.  They maybe those who sit on the chair of Peter who may as humans abuse their powers like the scribes and Pharisees, but those outside have no right to seek to correct this abuse as they are street dogs barking at rightful owners.  (Rev. 22: 15). Those within can and should exercise their prophetic voices to correct. 

Prayer:  Lord, in you we have come to fullness of life, who is the head of all rule and authority.  Col 2:10

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