OBEDIENCE TO GOD COMES BEFORE OBEDIENCE TO MAN

20160407 OBEDIENCE TO GOD COMES BEFORE OBEDIENCE TO MAN

Readings at Mass

Liturgical Colour: White.

First reading

Acts 5:27-33 ©

When the officials had brought the apostles in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation. ‘We gave you a formal warning’ he said ‘not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.’ In reply Peter and the apostles said, ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging on a tree. By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.’

  This so infuriated them that they wanted to put them to death.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 33:2,9,17-20 ©

This poor man called and the Lord heard him.

or

Alleluia!

I will bless the Lord at all times,

  his praise always on my lips;

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

  He is happy who seeks refuge in him.

This poor man called and the Lord heard him.

or

Alleluia!

The Lord turns his eyes to the just

  and his ears to their appeal.

They call and the Lord hears

  and rescues them in all their distress.

This poor man called and the Lord heard him.

or

Alleluia!

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;

  those whose spirit is crushed he will save.

Many are the trials of the just man

  but from them all the Lord will rescue him.

This poor man called and the Lord heard him.

or

Alleluia!

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, alleluia!

Christ has risen, he who created all things,

and has granted his mercy to men.

Alleluia!

Or

Jn20:29

Alleluia, alleluia!

‘You believe, Thomas, because you can see me.

Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.

Alleluia!

Gospel

John 3:31-36 ©

John the Baptist said to his disciples:

‘He who comes from above is above all others;

he who is born of the earth is earthly himself

and speaks in an earthly way.

He who comes from heaven

bears witness to the things he has seen and heard,

even if his testimony is not accepted;

though all who do accept his testimony

are attesting the truthfulness of God,

since he whom God has sent

speaks God’s own words:

God gives him the Spirit without reserve.

The Father loves the Son

and has entrusted everything to him.

Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life,

but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life:

the anger of God stays on him.’

OBEDIENCE TO GOD COMES BEFORE OBEDIENCE TO MAN

SCRIPTURE READINGS: [ ACTS 5:27-33; JOHN 3:31-36  ]

We are edified by the fortitude of the apostles in bearing witness to Christ in spite of the threats and intimidation of the religious authorities.  In spite of being arrested and put in jail; and when released, they did not go back to hide from the authorities but stood bravely at the Temple to proclaim the Resurrection of Christ.  For most of us, we would be so frightened of being arrested that we would succumb to external pressure, threats, insults and nasty words.

What gave them the power and the boldness to speak without reservation and fear?  They were more than merely witnessing to Christ’s resurrection.  They were actually standing up for the truth.  When we have the truth, we cannot deny or hide it.  If we do, then we would have betrayed ourselves, for Jesus made it clear that the truth will set you free.  He said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (Jn 8:31f)

So what is the truth?  Simply the facts as presented.  It is primarily about Jesus who was crucified and now raised from the dead.  The truth remains that as the man who was crippled from birth had been healed; they were released from prison by an angel, that Jesus was killed by them; and that they had seen Him alive.  Therefore, He must be the savior.  Most of all, the apostles said, “We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”  They could not be silent to what they had seen and heard.  That would be a denial of the truth.

In contrast, the religious authorities were not interested in the facts or the truth.  They were simply trying to protect their interests.  It is good to know where they were coming from.  They perceived the whole event as upsetting to the status quo of both the religious and political life of the people.  Firstly, their claim of Jesus’ resurrection ran contrary to the Sadducees’ denial of the resurrection of the dead.  This explains why it was the Temple priests that initiated the arrest.  Secondly, it was indeed the priests, more than the Pharisees that were responsible for the death of Jesus because they were the ones who pressed for His death sentence.  In other words, they did kill Him.   Of course, if Jesus were raised, then it would put them in a negative light.  They would not be able to justify their action and would lose credibility with the people.  Thirdly, they were afraid that the apostles were gaining popularity and this could result in a riot which would necessitate the intervention of the Roman authorities.   Yet, they also could not deny the miracles that happened and the radical transformation of the apostles who were uneducated men into courageous witnesses for Christ.  So we can understand the dilemma the Sanhedrin faced.  Instead of trying to examine the facts, they were only interested in suppressing the truth so that their interests would not be compromised.  Instead of acting justly and fairly, they continued to act unjustly as they did with Jesus.

For this reason, the apostles made it clear, “Obedience to God comes before obedience to men!”  They could not succumb to their threats because the authorities were not sincere and not people who desired to find the truth.  Against such unjust authorities, they could not but continue to witness to the Risen Christ because the Holy Spirit, that is the Spirit that convicts, the Spirit of Truth as sent by the Lord, had been given to them.  Having been given the truth, they could not remain quiet as they had been commanded by the Lord to testify.

This is precisely why St John the Baptist, in line with all the prophets, was ready to speak the truth.  When his disciples reported to him that Jesus was also baptizing (cf 3:22-26), John the Baptist, unlike the religious leaders, did not protect his popularity or office or power.  Instead he said plainly, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.  You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but I have been sent ahead of him.’  He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled.  He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jn 3:27-30)   John the Baptist was not interested in power but he was there simply to serve the truth.  By so doing, he was beheaded by Herod, representative of political authority eventually.  (cf Mk 6:14-29)

Jesus Himself testified to the truth before Pilate.  Jesus could not deny Himself before the political power when He said, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above; therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”  (Jn 19:11)  He made it clear however, that His kingdom was “not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” (Jn 19:36)  Nevertheless, Jesus maintained before Pilate, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”  (Jn 19:37)

In the final analysis, it is a question of who Jesus is to us.  St John the Baptist underscores the fact that Jesus indeed has come from God.  He said, “He who comes from above is above all others; he who is born of the earth is earthly himself and speaks in an earthly way.  He who comes from heaven bears witness to the things he has seen and heard, even if his testimony is not accepted; though all who do accept his testimony are attesting the truthfulness of God, since he whom God has sent speaks God’s own words: God gives him the Spirit without reserve.”  The conclusion therefore is this: if Jesus were from above and was raised by the Father, then His claim to Sonship would have been justified.  And if He were the Son of God, then obedience must be rendered to Him and not to man, especially unjust authorities. The failure to render obedience and submission to Jesus, the Son of God ultimately is a rejection of the Heavenly Father because He “loves the Son and has entrusted everything to him.”  The failure to believe Him and accept His teaching would be a rejection of the truth.  Indeed, “anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life: the anger of God stays on him.” By not living in the truth, like the religious authority represented by the Sanhedrin; and political authorities represented by Herod and Pilate, we condemn ourselves.

Does it mean that this principle of “obedience to God comes before obedience to man” necessarily mean a clash between being a good Christian and those in political authority?  Can one be a good Christian and yet be truly a patriotic and law-abiding citizen?   Of course!  Not only should a Christian be a law-abiding citizen, he should contribute to national building all the more, because of his desire to help everyone live in truth and in love.  St Paul reminds us to be respectful of political authorities. “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” (1 Tim 2:2)  The role of Christians in society is to speak the truth and witness to a life of love through the promotion of justice, peace and harmony.  They are to speak for the greater good of the country by offering their views and perspectives on what is good for all, without imposing their faith on those who are not Christians.  Their contribution and dialogue with the political authorities and their fellow citizens would have to be based on reason, logic and natural laws in seeking the truth.  The Church never intends to take over the power of the State whose role is to ensure justice, social order, equality and progress of the nation.

Christians, however, should protect their rights when it is a matter of conscience on moral issues.  Whilst we have no right to impose on the rest of the people, matters relating to conscience must be respected by all, especially by political authorities.  Disobedience, or rather, dissent, therefore, is permitted only because the conscience, which is the voice of God, must be respected.   This is particularly true of issues like abortion, same sex union, etc.  At all times, the Church works with the government to promote the good of everyone.  She recognizes that this is a secular society and a secular government is necessary to ensure impartiality in instituting laws for the greater good of the people.  She certainly cannot and does not dictate to the government on economic, social and political issues because this is the role of the state.  The Church however would contribute her views when she feels that the rights of minority are violated or that there is a lack of justice in treating the citizens.

So in truth, there is no real tension between state and Church or between being a patriotic citizen and a faithful Catholic.  The tension comes only when the State is corrupt, unjust, partial and lacking integrity.  When that happens, the Church, as the prophet of the People of God, must speak not just for Catholics but for the good of the nation.  We are reminded of the exhortation of St Peter when he said, “Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, ¹⁵ but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; ¹⁶ yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.  (1Pt 3:14-16)   So in all things we say and do, we must remain polite, kind and respectful, and always open to dialogue in truth and love in humility.

Written by The Most Rev William Goh Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved