Jesus obeyed authorities with whom he did not agree because they had taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

Saturday, 8/25/12

In the Gospel reading Jesus called attention to the many failings of the religious leaders in his time, but he did not urge rebellion; no, he told his listeners to be fully obedient. “They have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you.”

The Commandment that tells us to honor our fathers and mothers doesn’t only bind when we are in agreement with them. No, we honor them when we are not in agreement with them.

Let me hasten to say that I have never found Rome or our bishops to be unreasonable men in any way comparable to the leaders who plotted against Jesus. I imagine that it is the same with you. At most, we at times have a difference of opinions with our church leaders. We know they are doing what seems right to them. In today’s Gospel Jesus is telling us that since he felt the need to give obedience to those leaders who were plotting against him, we should feel bound to obey the legitimate authorities over us, even when we have differences with them.