In today's first reading from Hebrews 13, the sacred author says this: "Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you."
I don't know about you, but I tend to have an authority problem. A bit of an anti-authoritarian streak. This can be a difficult charge for folks like me, both on a temporal and spiritual level. That's why I think I would make a terrible religious. That vow of obedience would be a toughie.
Now, I hope I'm not equivocating, but let me share a quick thought. When our leaders call us to do something unjust - like pay for abortions - it is incumbent on us to speak out and protest. These can be murky waters. I'm reminded of the passage in Acts of the Apostles where Peter and the Apostles say, "We must obey God rather than men." Let us pray for our leaders, civic and spiritual, and for good discernment.
Father, bless our leaders with wisdom and grace. Keep them, and us, ever faithful to you and your commands. Amen.
I could not agree with you more Gus. For too long, the “Silent Majority” has remained silent!