First Reading: (Acts 5:27–33)
Psalm: (Psalm 34)
Response: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Alleluia:
Alleluia, alleluia.
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
Alleluia.
Gospel: (John 3:31–36)
Reflection:
Where does our loyalty lies? The central truth emerges with striking clarity:m from all the readings today. And that's, our ultimate loyalty belongs to God alone.
Human authority has a powerful pull. It offers approval, security, advancement, and favor. Sometimes people even like to play God when dealing with others. Because of this, many bend their conscience to please those in power, remaining silent in the face of wrongdoing or even defending what they know is unjust. Loyalty, in such cases, becomes servitude.
The apostles stand as a direct contradiction to this pattern. Confronted by authority that could imprison or kill them, they do not hesitate. Their answer is neither diplomatic nor cautious, it is absolute:
“We must obey God rather than men.”
This is not rebellion for its own sake. It is rightly ordered obedience. Authority is legitimate only insofar as it aligns with truth and the will of God. The moment it demands what is contrary to God, it forfeits its claim over the conscience.
There is a subtle danger here. People often justify misplaced loyalty with phrases like: “I must protect my position,” or “I cannot offend those above me.” But in doing so, they gradually surrender their moral freedom. They become, in effect, instruments, moved not by truth, but by fear or gain.
The apostles remind us of a sobering reality:
we will not answer to human beings at the end of our lives, we will answer to God.
No authority, no patron, no earthly benefactor will stand in our place at judgment. Their favor will not defend us; their approval will not justify us.
Therefore, the call is clear and demanding:
Stand for truth, even when it costs you.
Refuse to silence your conscience for the sake of approval.
Seek to please God above all, even if it provokes opposition.
To live this way requires courage, the kind that is not loud, but steadfast. The kind that chooses righteousness over convenience.
Like the apostles, we must ask for the grace to remain firm:
to obey God,
to speak truth,
and to remain faithful, no matter the cost.
Amen
God bless you 🙏
No comments:
Post a Comment