Commentary on the Gospel of
To what authority are you subject? Whom do you obey? Where does your allegiance lie? Each of us has many claims on our hearts and on our loyalties: family, friends, employer, nation. But today’s first reading reminds us that our first and highest loyalty must always be to God.
The apostles understood that fact, as did the martyrs of the early Church. They faced persecution, torture, and even death rather than disobey God’s laws. Even in our day there are individuals who face the loss of family and friends, the loss of employment, and even the loss of their freedom or their lives because of their faith and the way of living that it demands.
Most of us will never face these extremes of persecution. We are not likely to have to decide between our lives and our faith. But we may face repercussions at work because of our ethical commitments. We may become estranged from friends who draw us into immoral behavior. We may need to deny ourselves things we want in order to fulfill our moral obligations. It is not easy to obey God, but our love for God makes these sacrifices joy.
